Ralph William Pruitt
October 16, 1921 ~ December 26, 2020
Ralph William Pruitt passed from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior at his home on Saturday, December 26, 2020. He joined his wife of 69 years, Betty Kathleen Weekly Pruitt, who died in 2015.
His children were with Ralph, in the house that Ralph and Betty built, at his passing.
Ralph was born in Brown County, on October 16, 1921, to Allen Pruitt and Ethel Gates Pruitt. Brothers, Clayton and Merrill preceded him in death.
After graduating from Edinburgh High School, Ralph began a 42-year commitment with Cummins Engine Company. His service in the Army Air Force during the WWII European War counted toward those years. Following his discharge from the military in 1945, Ralph married his waiting sweetheart, Betty, on January 18, 1946.
Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,” Ralph did that in 1940. And he would consider himself a most blessed man, with a loving wife, children, friends, and a church family in the Bethel Wesleyan Church. Ralph was a faithful worker in the building of the church and held it close to his heart.
Ralph often quoted to his children from Proverbs, “ A man who has friends must himself be friendly”. And that he was. Ralph’s and Betty’s dinner table was a welcoming place to friends old and new.
He loved talking to people, once complaining in later life that he wasn’t meeting new people.
Ralph is survived by son, Terrill (Paula) Pruitt of Peru; daughters, Sheryl (Richard) Chatham of Columbus, and Janice (Harody) of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Four beloved grandchildren are Gerald and Bryan Pruitt of Peru, Zachary Chatham of Columbus, Joanna (Lemuel) Young and great granddaughter, Lennon Young of Katy, Texas. Also surviving are his and Betty’s dear forever friends, Joel and Anna Garcia.
We thank all who wrote, called, visited, and cared for Ralph as his health failed in recent years. It is all appreciated.
Visitation is Monday, January 4th, 4-7pm at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 5th, 12 noon at Bethel Wesleyan Church, with calling an hour before. Pastor Gordon Tilley will be officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, Edinburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Wesleyan Church of Columbus.
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Sheryl, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at the passing of your father. I asked my husband David if he knew a Ralph Pruitt who was from Brown County He said that he did. From there, one thing lead to another. I was shocked when I read the year that your father was born. My dad was born on March 17, 1921. Dad went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 4, 2011. My husband and his Uncle Basil “Bass” Hendershot laid the Bedford stone for Bethel. Every time David and I would drive by the church he would make the remark that he and Uncle “Bass” laid the stone for that church. Your husband knows our youngest son, Scott David Hendershot. Scott was a firefighter for CFD.
Linda Eickbush Hendershot
Sorry for the loss . Your father and mother were friends of my grandparents the Mosiers. I will always remember going with them to church.
Ralph was my Sunday school teacher when I was a kid. So sorry to hear that he passed. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family.
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Nicely done. Ralph had a full life and this video shows it all.
Great sadness overwhelms me upon hearing of this family’s loss. My heart and prayers go out to the family. Ralph was my first real experience, (after Brother Weekly), with Bethel Church when it sat in the country next to Camp Atterbury. He and Betty and their family would come and pick us up (in a place called Hog Bottoms) and take us to church when we did not have a ride or if mom and dad were working. He was a great Sunday School Teacher and taught one of the most important things I have always remembered in life, “God does not look at what you wear, what color you are, or what you believe, but looks only at your soul.” Rest In Peace Ralph and enjoy the homecoming with Betty and God, celebrating 100 in Heaven. Thanks for changing a young mans life.
Roy Williams
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Ralph William Pruitt.
Magnificent Life Spray was purchased for the family of Ralph William Pruitt.
Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Ralph William Pruitt.
To the family of Mr. Ralph Pruitt, My God comfort you in your hours of sorrow .You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All. Judy Curl
Florist Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Ralph William Pruitt.
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