RALPH L. STOOPS, 85, a resident of Quincy United Methodist Home and formerly of 214 N. Grant St., Waynesboro, died at 6:26 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, in the nursing home.He had been in failing health for the past two years.

Born Jan. 22, 1916, in Five Forks, he was the son of the late Harry Wilson and Daisy Mae (Sheffler) Stoops.He lived his early life in Five Forks.

He and his wife, Marie E. "Betty" (Foreman) Stoops, a resident of Quincy United Methodist Home, were married Aug. 5, 1945, in Waynesboro. They moved to the North Grant Street residence in the mid-1980s.They moved to Quincy United Methodist Home Assisted Living in 1997 and the nursing home in March 2000.

He attended Quincy Township schools.

Mr. Stoops served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater and fought in the Battle of the Northern Apennes. Following his discharge, he served with the Army National Guard, Co.D, 104th Armored Cavalry in Waynesboro.

He was first employed as a car mechanic at several local garages, including Wheat Chevrolet and Roberts Chevrolet in Waynesboro. In 1951, Mr. Stoops started his own business, Stoops Garage in Quincy. He sold his business to Denny Wishard and retired in 1978. Following his retirement, he worked part time for his son at C&S Builders, Waynesboro, until 1993.

Mr. Stoops was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Waynesboro, where he served as deacon. He was a 50-year member of Joe Stickell American Legion Post 15, BPO Elks Lodge 731 and William Max McLaughlin VFW Post 695, all of Waynesboro. Mr. Stoops was a member of the Order of the Owls Nest 1073, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1191, Eagles Club Inc. and Fraternal Order of Eagles 1758, all of Waynesboro. He was a member of Quincy Lions Club, where he was a past president and served on the board of directors.

He enjoyed gardening and working with and constructing stained glass items.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Stoops is survived by one son, Donald E. Stoops of Waynesboro; one daughter, Donna M. Ferguson of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; five sisters, Pat Wagaman and Juanita Ruhl, both of Chambersburg, Leone Sprenkle of Waynesboro, Julia Cluck of Camp Hill and Louise Widmer of Philadelphia; four granddaughters; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several sisters and brothers.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, with Pastor Linda Berseng Williams officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services Saturday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ Building Fund, 30 W. North St., Waynesboro, Pa. 17268.

Obituary courtesy of Pamela Byers Wrenn