Ralph Edward Mceowen

Ralph Edward McEowen, 79, of Greenville, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at State of the Heart Care Center. He was born on August 27, 1938, the son of the late Lowell E. and Dortha V. (Hathaway) McEowen.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Christina Moody; his brother, Robert H. McEowen; and his sister-in-law, Kathleen R. McEowen.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma June (Hendley) McEowen, whom he married August 6, 1960; his children, Saundra (Doug) Wright of Greenville, Nick (Bonnie) McEowen of Union City, Indiana, Carlton Conner of Greenville, Connie (Tom) Nies of Hudson, Florida, and Cathy Cox of Greenville; his grandchildren, Christopher Reier, Jennifer Lopez, Nicholas McEowen, Brooke McEowen, Brandon Conner, Stacy Miller-Dacey (David Dacey), Travis Miller, Ryan (Pam) Moody, and Chelsie (Manny) De La Cruze; 14 great grandchildren; his brother, Roger L. McEowen of Greenville; his sister, Rita (Ronald) Young of Rossburg; his sister-in-law, Mary K. (Stammen) McEowen of Rossburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ralph attended Rossburg, Ohio, local grade school and Jackson Township, Ohio high school. He was a former member of the Rossburg E. U. M. Church. Ralph served his country honorably in the U.S.Army for two years at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he would meet his future wife, June. Ralph was very talented mechanically as a young man on the farm and in the factory workplace. This became evident when he went to work at the Union City Body Company and later Workhorse, Inc., where he spent 40 plus years working in various departments. His greatest love was restoring antique automobiles. Space does not allow going into detail of all the various antique models he restored. 1931 and 1932 models of Chevrolets would become his lifetime passion. Ralph was well known over much of the U.S. for restoring 1931 and 1932 Chevrolet models from the ground up and furnishing many customers new parts and replacement kits, many of which he manufactured in his own shop. his '31 and '32 gems would stand out at the many Classic Car shows he participated in.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Oliver Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville.

Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Brock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com.