Ralph Owen Anderson

Ralph Owen Anderson, age 81 of Crawfordsville, passed away on March 15, 2026 at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital. He was born on January 15, 1945 to Dale and Iva (Vanetta) Anderson in Lynn, Indiana. Ralph married Susan Clark on January 17, 1965 in Bainbridge.

He was a graduate of Russellville High School, Class of 1963. Ralph proudly served in the United States Army Reserved Forces 139th Arty in Ft. Knox, KY from 1963-1965. Ralph was a Production Control Analyst for RR Donnelley, joining the company in 1963 as a bindery worker on the Reader’s Digest machine. Ralph was later promoted to a sewer machinist and then a Production Coordinator. He was promoted to Production Controller in 1980 until his retirement in 2006.

He was a volunteer in the community, particularly with Junior Achievements in Crawfordsville and the Wabash College Athletic Program, working with the chain gang for football games and the shot clock during basketball and track season. Ralph was also a longtime member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, where he spent each Sunday with many friends that became like family. Ralph was most of all a proud Papaw and loved supporting his grandchildren during all school or sporting events. He was an avid sports fan of whatever team his grandchildren were playing for. Cheering on Marian University football, University of Hawaii volleyball, Brownsburg football, baseball & tennis, TAV & Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Clubs, Arrowhead volleyball, Purdue basketball and his beloved Colts.

Ralph will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 61 years, Susan; daughters, Debbie (Gavin) Taylor and Deanna Lang; and grandchildren: Owen, Lily (fiancé Isaac), Maggie, Kate & Georgia.

He is also survived by his sisters, Sara (Jack) Walden, Angela Killingsworth and several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Kate and Kenny Clark; son-in-law, Jeff Lang; and brothers, Johnnie, Tom, Dave and George Anderson.

Visitation for Ralph will be held on Wednesday, April 1st at Sanders Funeral Care, 315 S Washington Street in Crawfordsville from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Clinton Falls Cemetery, outside of Greencastle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Junior Achievements of Central Indiana, 7435 N Keystone Ave, Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46240 or online at www.indy.ja.org/donate. Share memories and condolences at www.SandersFuneralCare.com.