Ralph Wenning, age 88 of Batesville, died Monday, April 8, 2019 at Margaret Mary Health. Born January 3, 1931 in Batesville, he is the son of Hilda (Nee: Schebler) and Frank Wenning. He served in the Marines during the Korean War. After the service he married Rosemary Giltz May 5, 1956 at St. Louis Church and worked as a machinist for the Hill-Rom company 46 years before retiring in 1995. He was a member of St. Louis Church, The Knights of Columbus Council #1461 and the Ripley County V.F.W. Post #3183.
A woodworker, scores of people have one of Ralph’s bird houses he built, but he also made children’s toys, holiday decorations and heirloom quality furniture as well. He loved Batesville High School basketball, was an avid Reds fan and was passionate about golf. His family pointed out that enjoying golfing and being good at it are two different things though. Ralph and Rosie took numerous bus trips to several parts of the country, but visits to the Smokey Mountains were always their favorite. Ralph also liked to get in the car to go for drive to nowhere in particular.
He is survived by his wife Rosie; daughters Mary Kay Mollaun of Norwalk, Ohio, Brenda Moorman of Batesville, Jackie Fitzgerald of Plainfield, Indiana, Connie Grider of Indianapolis, Kim Wenning of Indianapolis; sister Marlene Camarota of Mason, Ohio; brothers Eugene Wenning of Ocala, Florida, Don Wenning of Batesville, Jim Wenning of Madison, Indiana; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by sisters Pauline Huenke, Kathleen Scheidler; brother Bob Wenning and granddaughter Kayla Fitzgerald.
Visitation is Thursday, April 11th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday, April 12th, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Stan Pondo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to the Oldenburg Academy Fieldhouse Fund or the Batesville High School Basketball Program.