Ralph Bublitz

Ralph E. Bublitz was born March 7, 1928, in Merritt Twp. MI-the 8th child of Henry and Meta (Ahrens) Bublitz and he died peacefully surrounded by family March 5, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, and all his siblings and their spouses: Harry (Donna) Bublitz, Arlene (William) Broderick, Earl (Bernice) Bublitz, Eleanor (Alfred) Dinsmore, Margaret (John) Obertein, Lester (Jean) Bublitz, Clara (Jack) Sylvester, Lawrence Bublitz, and an infant brother, Billy.

Ralph attended the Mitchell School (just over the county line between Bay and Tuscola Counties) from 1st to 8th grade-then farmed with his father and older brothers, eventually extending the Bublitz family farm to the Fairgrove area. He married the love of his life, Marceline (Marcy) Lupcke on April 22, 1950, and recently celebrated 75 years of marriage in Christ. He is survived by a daughter Cindy (Dennis) Dixon of Clarkston, a son Michael (Melissa) Bublitz of Chesaning, and a son Curtis (Ann) Bublitz of Fairgrove-as well as 8 grandchildren: Sarah (Casey) Shuck, David (Emily) Dixon, Matthew (Leah) Bublitz, Andrew (Kendra) Dixon, Stephen (Leah) Bublitz, Joe (Ashley) Bublitz, Daniel (Kaleigh) Bublitz, Nathan (Rachel) Bublitz-and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ralph's earliest memories of farming were with draft horses and steam-powered tractors-and he represented the 3rd generation of a 5-generation sugar beet farming family. Ralph also learned carpentry, furnace installation, and welding which led him to winter/seasonal work at Saginaw Steering Gear and the Defoe Shipbuilding Co. in Bay City for 15 years.

Ralph was a friend to everyone, he met-and his keen mind and quick wit made him a lifelong learner. His life experience ranged from 1930's pre-electricity to his eventual mastery of the Internet and GPS guided farm operations well into his 90's. He was also an avid storyteller of these family memories.

Ralph was a life-long member of Christ Lutheran Church, Reese MI where he and his brother, Lawrence Bublitz, sang in the church choir for 65 years, and he truly exemplified the deeply held values of "Faith-Family-Farm" all the days of his life.

Ralph will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his family will welcome visitors at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home in Reese MI on Thursday March 12, 3pm-7pm, with funeral at Christ Lutheran Church, Reese MI the following day, Friday March 13 at 11AM. Visitation will also take place at the church from 10AM-11AM on Friday.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift may consider Christ Lutheran Church or the Ralph and Marceline Bublitz Scholarship for Registered Nurses (Tuscola County Community Foundation.)