Ralph Silvis, 90, of Sardinia, OH, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Ohio Veterans Home surrounded by his family. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Dorothy (nee Babb); his seven children, Barbara Silvis, Paul (Nancy) Silvis, Gary Silvis, Dan (Bonnie) Silvis, Kimberly (Lonnie) Reynolds, Lisa (Dan) Johnson, and Jennifer (Phil) Swindler; 13 grandchildren, Danny (Kristie) Silvis, Tracy (Brian) Lainhart, Ashley (Zac) Corbin, Amber (Justin) Moore, Alex Silvis, Jessica (Dan) Miller, Sarah Johnson, Geoff (Molly) Silvis, Kimberly (Dan) Wesolowski, Matthew Johnson, Kelsey (Eric Guindon) Swindler, Luke Johnson, and Katie Swindler; 10 great-grandchildren, as well as a brother, John Silvis.
Ralph was a veteran of WWII, serving from 1942-44 as a pilot in the US Army Air Corp. Over his lifetime he was, physicist, ordained pastor, and high school teacher. Known to many as “Chief”, the majority of his life was spent in Brown County Ohio where he served Bible Chapel United Church of Christ for 25 years and taught at Hamersville and later at Western Brown High School. Throughout his life he built houses for low-income families while training students in carpentry, traveled on mission trips to hurricane-ravaged areas, served on various community service boards, performed 227 weddings (including more than a dozen for his children and grandchildren), served 3 rural churches in Brown County, taught woodworking, drafting, chemistry and physics. He laughed easily, fished often, built houses and sailboats, sailed whenever he could, painted prolifically, told great stories, read constantly, and loved to learn. He was an independent thinker who enjoyed a challenging conversation. He adored his wife and family and spent his last years making memories for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Though he officiated over 172 funeral services in his lifetime, he did not want one for himself. He was a practical man who loved to laugh, tell stories, and spend time with family and friends. To honor his wishes, the family has chosen to create a page online to celebrate his life at www.RalphSilvis.net rather than having a service. They invite any and all to share their stories and memories of Ralph. If you wish to make a donation to an organization or charity in his name please feel free to do so. One of his favorite programs was the Imagination Library, an early reading support program (www.imaginationlibrary.com). The family is especially thankful to Stein Hospice in Mt Orab and the staff at Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown. He received loving, attentive care from both organizations. If you are able, donate your time to an organization or person in need.
In the interest of furthering medical research, Ralph has chosen to donate his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The family is being served by Cahall Funeral Home.