Mr. Samuel Lewis “Sam” Ralston, age 87, of Carrollton, Ohio, entered this life on August 24, 1938, in Madison, Indiana. He was the son of the late Samuel Lewis Ralston, Sr. and Mary Louise (Shaw) Ralston. He was raised on Scott’s Ridge in Jefferson County, Indiana and was a 1956 graduate of Central High School. Sam received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1961 from Purdue University. He was inducted into the United States Army and served his country for three years and an additional five years in the Army Reserves. He dedicated 35 years of his career as an electrical engineer at PPG Industries. Sam was united in marriage on June 7, 1961 to Linda Lee Lehman at the Lehman residence in Wabash, Indiana. This happy union of nearly 56 years of marriage together was blessed with a son, Donald. Sam was later united in marriage to Virginia Eileen “Ginger” (Blasdel) Furnish on September 2, 2019 at the Christian International Family Worship Center in Versailles, Indiana. This happy blended family shared nearly six years of marriage together until she passed away on August 13, 2025. He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carrollton, Ohio and a proud member of the American Legion. Sam was an enthusiast in the Ohio Antique Collectors Club and the 2 Cylinder Club. He formerly served on the board for Caledonia Cemetery and was a former Jefferson County 4-H leader. Sam was also a former member of the Switzerland County Antique Engine and Tractor Club. Sam enjoyed traveling, camping, boating, and riding in the mustang. Sam always loved his time spent on the family farm on Scott’s Ridge in Jefferson County, Indiana. Sam passed away peacefully at 7:17 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Altercare Hartville in Hartville, Ohio.
He is survived by his son, Donald Ralston and his wife, Diane of Green, OH; his grandchildren, Johnathon (Rachel), Nicole, and Bryan; his sisters, Glenda Fritter of near Pleasant, IN and Janie Belford of Biloxi, MS; his former wife Ginger Furnish Ralston’s family; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Doug and Minda Lehman of Wabash, IN, Deborah Lehman of Wabash, IN and Shirley and Tony Scherschel of Ft. Wales, FL; and his nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his wives, Linda Lee (Lehman) Ralston, died January 15, 2017 and Virginia “Ginger” (Blasdel) Furnish Ralston, died August 13, 2025; his grandson, Jacob Lewis Ralston, died April 3, 1993; his brother, William Lewis Ralston, died October 27, 1935; his great-nephew, Samuel Lewis Steven Fritter, died October 25, 2022; and his brothers-in-law, George David Belford, died October 5, 2010 and Steven Lane “Steve” Fritter, died March 16, 2021.
OHIO SERVICES:
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Dodds Funeral Home, 129 North Lisbon Street, Carrollton, Ohio 44615.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Dodds Funeral Home, 129 North Lisbon Street, Carrollton, Ohio 44615.
INDIANA SERVICES:
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
INTERMENT:
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Caledonia Cemetery on Caledonia Road, near Moorefield, Indiana.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
Memorial contributions may be made to the Caledonia Cemetery. Cards are available at the funeral homes or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com