Virginia E. "Ginger" Furnish-Ralston

Mrs. Virginia "Ginger" E. (Blasdel) Furnish-Ralston, age 80, of Dellroy, Ohio, and Switzerland County, Indiana, passed away at 4:50 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic Hospice Center in Akron, Ohio. Ginger was born on June 14, 1945, in Madison, Wisconsin, to the late Harmon Lincoln and Mary Ellen (Jarvis) Blasdel. She graduated from Vevay High School in 1963 and went on to earn her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Indiana University Southeast in 1982. On November 16, 1963, Ginger married Robert L. Furnish at the Fairview United Methodist Church. They enjoyed nearly 48 years of marriage and were blessed with three sons and a daughter. Ginger worked as a science teacher for the Switzerland County School Corporation, where she taught 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades, retiring in 2005 after 25 years of service. On September 2, 2019, Ginger married Samuel Lewis Ralston, Jr. in Versailles, Indiana and they shared nearly six wonderful years of marriage together until her sudden passing. She previously served as the Purdue Extension Director, retiring in 2013 after eight years of service. Ginger was actively involved in her community, serving on the Switzerland County Foundation Board and as a member of the East Enterprise Homemakers Club. She was also an enthusiastic 4-H leader, cherishing the many years spent with her grandchildren. In 2017, Ginger was crowned Mrs. Switzerland County and was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as a former President on the Switzerland County YMCA board. Additionally, she was an ordained minister and was a former member of the Christian International Family Worship Center in Versailles, Indiana. Ginger was a deacon and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carrollton, Ohio. She was an active member of the Carroll County, Ohio Antique Collectors Club with her husband. Ginger had a variety of interests, including reading, cross-stitching, crocheting, quilting, and bike riding. Together with Sam, she enjoyed traveling, camping, boating, and riding in the mustang. Above all, Ginger loved spending time with her family.
Ginger will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Samuel Lewis Ralston, Jr. of Dellroy, OH; her sons, Rob Furnish and his wife, Cheryl of Vevay, IN, Roger Furnish and his wife, Chris of Montpelier, IN, and Raymond Furnish and his wife, Stephanie of Vevay, IN; her daughter, Connie Bobek and her husband, John of Markesan, WI; her grandchildren, Lauren (Cole), Bess (Zach), Julie (Dylan), Trevor (Moriah), Tracy (Thatcher), Robin, Clayton, Melissa (Kent), Morgan, Allison, Nathan, Jeremy, and Leah (Tyler); her great-grandchildren, Camryn, Case, Cierra, Carson, Chloe, Luke, Raegan, Addilynn, Judah, Clarity, Serenity, Trinity, Colton, and Ellie; her sister, Shirley Scherschel and her husband, Tony of Ft. Wales, FL.; her step-son, Donald Ralston and his wife, Diane of Akron, OH; her step-grandchildren, Johnathon (Rachel), Nicole, and Bryan; and her several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harmon Lincoln Blasdel, died June 18, 1995; her mother, Mary Ellen (Jarvis) Blasdel, died March 18, 1996; her husband, Robert L. "Bob" Furnish, died March 16, 2011, and her brother, Tracy Lynn Blasdel, died January 8, 1987.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025, and from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, by Pastor Patrick Lanman, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Lee Cemetery on Nell Lee Road in Fairview, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Furnish Family Scholarship Fund c/o CFSCI. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com
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