Ralph M Gels

Ralph M. Gels, age 78, of Coldwater, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at his home in Coldwater.  He was born May 12, 1944 in St. Henry, Ohio to the late Henry & Anna (Broerman) Gels. On August 10, 1966, he married Janet Geise at Holy Trinity Church in Coldwater, and she survives in Coldwater. 

Ralph is survived by daughter, Toni (David) Klosterman and son, Scott (Becky) Gels all of Coldwater; six grandchildren Jessica (Josh) Bergman, Mitchell Klosterman (fiancé Leslie Gartrell), Ryan Klosterman (fiancé Abigail Stall), McKenna (Luke) Brannon, Madison and Elijah Gels; one great grandson Xavier Bergman; siblings and in-laws, Bob Gels of Eaton, Frank (Lorae) Gels of Union, Joyce Gels of Livermore, CA, Dennis Brunswick of Coldwater, Connie Howe of Coldwater, Sandy (Charles) Fortkamp of Maria Stein, Jim (Tammy) Tangeman of Columbus, Don (Jennifer) Geise of Dayton and Pat (Jerry) Kanney of Coldwater. He is preceded in death by a siblings and in-laws, Ken Gels, Eileen (Eugene) Bruns, Mary Lou (Rolland) Weis, Lois Brunswick, Janice (Marvin) Hart, Norma Gels, father & mother-in-law Elmer and Butch (Stelzer) Geise, Nick Howe, and Deb Tangeman.

Ralph was a 1962 graduate of St. Henry High School. He proudly served his country in the Indiana National Guard. He worked at the former New Idea Plant in Coldwater for 20 years and then Honda in Anna until retirement. He and Janet owned the Gels Home Assisted Living, then Gels Home Bed & Breakfast. They were also volunteer lighthouse keepers at the Big Sable Lighthouse in Michigan for 10 years. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater, Coldwater K of C Council 1991, and the St. Gasper del Bufalo 4th Degree Knights. Ralph was involved for many years with the Coldwater Squires and was noted for making the delicious sugar waffles at local festivals.  He was involved with the Boy Scouts, coached little league baseball, and taught CCD at Holy Trinity. He was involved in the first Adopt a Highway program in Ohio, served as Santa Claus for the county home Christmases, was an Everheart Hospice volunteer and was a huge supporter of Coldwater School activities.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater.  Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM  viewing will be at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry (due to renovations at the Coldwater location).  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercer County Right to Life or EverHeart Hospice. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.