Ralph W. VanNatta, 81, of Shelbyville passed away Thursday, July 21, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.
Born Nov. 13, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Okla., he was the son of Ralph M. and Ione (DeMars) VanNatta. He married Nora Smith on Dec. 27, 1952, in Bartholomew County, and she survives.
Other survivors include his sons, Bruce (wife, Alison) VanNatta, M.D., of Westfield, Bobby VanNatta and Jim (wife, Rose) VanNatta, both of Shelbyville; daughter, Karla (husband, Rick) Myers of Stow, Ohio; half brothers, John, Royal, Justin and Jorge VanNatta; half sisters, Jane, Joyce, Jan, June and Jacquie VanNatta; grandchildren, Lindsay, Megan, Russ, Tav, Will, Kate, Christina, Stephanie, Megan, Cory, Brooke, Brent, Derek, Stephanie and Jenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William Kevin VanNatta; and his sister, Jeanne Schilling.
He had resided in Shelbyville since January 1952.
Ralph was a buyer and salesman for Hub Shoes Inc. in Shelbyville from 1952 through 1964; he then served as mayor of Shelbyville from 1964 thru 1971. He was the owner and manager of VanNatta Realty and TransMed Ambulance Service from 1971 to 1972. Ralph was Commissioner of Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from 1973 through 1980 and executive secretary of Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) in 1981 and 1982. From 1982 through 1984, he was business broker and manager of VR Business Brokers in Indianapolis; and from 1984 through 1988, he was a contractor with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a defensive driving instructor and instructor trainer. Ralph owned and managed Shelby Travel Center in Shelbyville from 1988 through August 2001. He was also on the originating board of Shelby County Bank.
He served in the U.S. Army as an infantry instructor at Fort Knox, Ky.; ski and mountain climbing instructor, 2nd Infantry, Camp Carson, Colo., from 1947 through 1948; from 1950 through 1951, he served in Korea as combat infantryman and combat intelligence in the 7th Infantry Division.
Ralph was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, reader, lay minister and former member of the church council; he was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and National Safety Council. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and Rotary International.
He was an eight-year member and two-term president of Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY), former member of the board of directors of Hoosier Girl Scout Council and Shelbyville Boys Club, member of National Highway Safety Advisory Council and a two-term president of Indiana Republican Mayors Association (1967-1971).
Ralph received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1965, Jaycees Good Government Award in 1966 and Republican Mayors Man of the Year Award in 1979, was designated a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen, and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky.
He enjoyed golfing and hunting.
A gathering of friends will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with a rosary recited at 1:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., in Shelbyville, with Father John Maung officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN46278 or National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 E. 86th St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240-1848 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com
Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011 7:11 AM US/eastern
shelbynews.com
Born Nov. 13, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Okla., he was the son of Ralph M. and Ione (DeMars) VanNatta. He married Nora Smith on Dec. 27, 1952, in Bartholomew County, and she survives.
Other survivors include his sons, Bruce (wife, Alison) VanNatta, M.D., of Westfield, Bobby VanNatta and Jim (wife, Rose) VanNatta, both of Shelbyville; daughter, Karla (husband, Rick) Myers of Stow, Ohio; half brothers, John, Royal, Justin and Jorge VanNatta; half sisters, Jane, Joyce, Jan, June and Jacquie VanNatta; grandchildren, Lindsay, Megan, Russ, Tav, Will, Kate, Christina, Stephanie, Megan, Cory, Brooke, Brent, Derek, Stephanie and Jenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William Kevin VanNatta; and his sister, Jeanne Schilling.
He had resided in Shelbyville since January 1952.
Ralph was a buyer and salesman for Hub Shoes Inc. in Shelbyville from 1952 through 1964; he then served as mayor of Shelbyville from 1964 thru 1971. He was the owner and manager of VanNatta Realty and TransMed Ambulance Service from 1971 to 1972. Ralph was Commissioner of Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from 1973 through 1980 and executive secretary of Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) in 1981 and 1982. From 1982 through 1984, he was business broker and manager of VR Business Brokers in Indianapolis; and from 1984 through 1988, he was a contractor with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a defensive driving instructor and instructor trainer. Ralph owned and managed Shelby Travel Center in Shelbyville from 1988 through August 2001. He was also on the originating board of Shelby County Bank.
He served in the U.S. Army as an infantry instructor at Fort Knox, Ky.; ski and mountain climbing instructor, 2nd Infantry, Camp Carson, Colo., from 1947 through 1948; from 1950 through 1951, he served in Korea as combat infantryman and combat intelligence in the 7th Infantry Division.
Ralph was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, reader, lay minister and former member of the church council; he was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and National Safety Council. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and Rotary International.
He was an eight-year member and two-term president of Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY), former member of the board of directors of Hoosier Girl Scout Council and Shelbyville Boys Club, member of National Highway Safety Advisory Council and a two-term president of Indiana Republican Mayors Association (1967-1971).
Ralph received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1965, Jaycees Good Government Award in 1966 and Republican Mayors Man of the Year Award in 1979, was designated a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen, and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky.
He enjoyed golfing and hunting.
A gathering of friends will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with a rosary recited at 1:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., in Shelbyville, with Father John Maung officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN46278 or National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 E. 86th St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240-1848 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com
Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011 7:11 AM US/eastern
shelbynews.com
Ralph W. VanNatta, 81, of Shelbyville passed away Thursday, July 21, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.
Born Nov. 13, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Okla., he was the son of Ralph M. and Ione (DeMars) VanNatta. He married Nora Smith on Dec. 27, 1952, in Bartholomew County, and she survives.
Other survivors include his sons, Bruce (wife, Alison) VanNatta, M.D., of Westfield, Bobby VanNatta and Jim (wife, Rose) VanNatta, both of Shelbyville; daughter, Karla (husband, Rick) Myers of Stow, Ohio; half brothers, John, Royal, Justin and Jorge VanNatta; half sisters, Jane, Joyce, Jan, June and Jacquie VanNatta; grandchildren, Lindsay, Megan, Russ, Tav, Will, Kate, Christina, Stephanie, Megan, Cory, Brooke, Brent, Derek, Stephanie and Jenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William Kevin VanNatta; and his sister, Jeanne Schilling.
He had resided in Shelbyville since January 1952.
Ralph was a buyer and salesman for Hub Shoes Inc. in Shelbyville from 1952 through 1964; he then served as mayor of Shelbyville from 1964 thru 1971. He was the owner and manager of VanNatta Realty and TransMed Ambulance Service from 1971 to 1972. Ralph was Commissioner of Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from 1973 through 1980 and executive secretary of Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) in 1981 and 1982. From 1982 through 1984, he was business broker and manager of VR Business Brokers in Indianapolis; and from 1984 through 1988, he was a contractor with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a defensive driving instructor and instructor trainer. Ralph owned and managed Shelby Travel Center in Shelbyville from 1988 through August 2001. He was also on the originating board of Shelby County Bank.
He served in the U.S. Army as an infantry instructor at Fort Knox, Ky.; ski and mountain climbing instructor, 2nd Infantry, Camp Carson, Colo., from 1947 through 1948; from 1950 through 1951, he served in Korea as combat infantryman and combat intelligence in the 7th Infantry Division.
Ralph was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, reader, lay minister and former member of the church council; he was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and National Safety Council. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and Rotary International.
He was an eight-year member and two-term president of Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY), former member of the board of directors of Hoosier Girl Scout Council and Shelbyville Boys Club, member of National Highway Safety Advisory Council and a two-term president of Indiana Republican Mayors Association (1967-1971).
Ralph received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1965, Jaycees Good Government Award in 1966 and Republican Mayors Man of the Year Award in 1979, was designated a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen, and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky.
He enjoyed golfing and hunting.
A gathering of friends will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with a rosary recited at 1:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., in Shelbyville, with Father John Maung officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN46278 or National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 E. 86th St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240-1848 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com
Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011 7:11 AM US/eastern
shelbynews.com
Born Nov. 13, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Okla., he was the son of Ralph M. and Ione (DeMars) VanNatta. He married Nora Smith on Dec. 27, 1952, in Bartholomew County, and she survives.
Other survivors include his sons, Bruce (wife, Alison) VanNatta, M.D., of Westfield, Bobby VanNatta and Jim (wife, Rose) VanNatta, both of Shelbyville; daughter, Karla (husband, Rick) Myers of Stow, Ohio; half brothers, John, Royal, Justin and Jorge VanNatta; half sisters, Jane, Joyce, Jan, June and Jacquie VanNatta; grandchildren, Lindsay, Megan, Russ, Tav, Will, Kate, Christina, Stephanie, Megan, Cory, Brooke, Brent, Derek, Stephanie and Jenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William Kevin VanNatta; and his sister, Jeanne Schilling.
He had resided in Shelbyville since January 1952.
Ralph was a buyer and salesman for Hub Shoes Inc. in Shelbyville from 1952 through 1964; he then served as mayor of Shelbyville from 1964 thru 1971. He was the owner and manager of VanNatta Realty and TransMed Ambulance Service from 1971 to 1972. Ralph was Commissioner of Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from 1973 through 1980 and executive secretary of Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) in 1981 and 1982. From 1982 through 1984, he was business broker and manager of VR Business Brokers in Indianapolis; and from 1984 through 1988, he was a contractor with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a defensive driving instructor and instructor trainer. Ralph owned and managed Shelby Travel Center in Shelbyville from 1988 through August 2001. He was also on the originating board of Shelby County Bank.
He served in the U.S. Army as an infantry instructor at Fort Knox, Ky.; ski and mountain climbing instructor, 2nd Infantry, Camp Carson, Colo., from 1947 through 1948; from 1950 through 1951, he served in Korea as combat infantryman and combat intelligence in the 7th Infantry Division.
Ralph was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, reader, lay minister and former member of the church council; he was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and National Safety Council. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and Rotary International.
He was an eight-year member and two-term president of Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY), former member of the board of directors of Hoosier Girl Scout Council and Shelbyville Boys Club, member of National Highway Safety Advisory Council and a two-term president of Indiana Republican Mayors Association (1967-1971).
Ralph received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1965, Jaycees Good Government Award in 1966 and Republican Mayors Man of the Year Award in 1979, was designated a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen, and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky.
He enjoyed golfing and hunting.
A gathering of friends will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with a rosary recited at 1:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., in Shelbyville, with Father John Maung officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN46278 or National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 E. 86th St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240-1848 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com
Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011 7:11 AM US/eastern
shelbynews.com
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