Ralph May

Ralph Frederick May. A faithful servant passed from this life on Sunday, October 14, 2012 to his eternal home in the loving arms of Jesus Christ at Bethany Pointe Health Campus in Anderson, Indiana. He was a member of the Salamonia Church of Christ. Through the years many have had the benefit of his patience and guidance. He will be missed.
Ralph May was born November 21, 1920, in Salamonia, Indiana the son of Murl and Opal (Smith) May and was a graduate of Jay County Madison High School and the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Tulsa, OK. During his life he was employed by: his father's businesses, Murl May & Sons and on their family farm; Sheller Globe in Portland; Geeting Brothers & May Lumber Company, Willys-Overland Company, Howe Fire Apparatus Company, and Delco Remy all of Anderson. He retired from Delco Remy in 1987 having spent his career there in the Engineering Model Shop developing electric component prototypes to include General Motors first electric powered automobile.
He was a World War II veteran joining the Army in 1942. Selected for Army Air Corps pilot flight training, he later became part of the team that developed solutions to the extreme problems plaguing the new B-29 bomber and enabling it to finally become the reliable high-altitude long-range bomber that was responsible for ending the war.
Ralph was an active community member in both the Madison County and Jay County areas where he lived. He was: a 32nd Degree Mason; involved in organizations supporting the needs of handicapped children in Madison County; a scoutmaster for many years; a founding member of the General Motors Independent Federal Credit Union serving as board member and many years as the president; a part of the group responsible for planning and implementation of the Harter House Living Facility in Anderson where he later resided with his wife Mildred; an Anderson Community Hospital board member; an elder, active board member, and at times chairman of the board for East Lynn Christian Church in Anderson; a board member and president for the United Church of Christ in Salamonia; a board member and president of the Jay County Historical Society; a member of the Jay County Election Board; a member of the Jay County Optimist Club; a member of American Legion Post 211; a supporter of advanced education in Jay County, and an active jail house ministry participant with Gideons International.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son David May, brother Paul May, and sister Mary Geeting.
Survivors Include:
His Wife- Mildred McKinley May, Anderson, Indiana
2 Sons- Paul May, Union, KY
Peter May, Sheridan, WY;
2 Daughters- Nancy Hoffman, Cyprus, CA
Tina Skeel, Anderson, IN
1 Sister- Ruby Geeting, Anderson, Indiana
9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Southern Care Hospice team and the Bethany Point Center for the loving care and assistance given to Ralph and his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday in the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home in Portland. Rev. Bruce Phillips will officiate and burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery. American Legion Post 211, Portland is in charge of military graveside rights at the cemetery.
Visitation will be held be from 4-8 PM on Friday and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Jay County Historical Society or Portland Foundation.