Ralph H. Harmeyer
Ralph H. Harmeyer, age 93 of Batesville, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at his home. Born August 27, 1930, in Deer Park, Ohio, he is the son of Bernard and Clara (Nee: Ziegler) Harmeyer. Ralph served in the US Navy during the Korean war for four years and upon his return he married the love of his life, Bernice Schwegman on May 30, 1956, at St. Mary’s of the Rock Catholic Church. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3183, and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271.
As a teenager and young adult, Ralph drove the Huckster Truck for his dad at Harmeyer’s Market. Then before entering the service, Ralph worked at a Massey Fergeson dealership.
Ralph served for the Decatur County REMC for 38 years, and Statewide Electric Cooperative for 24 years. He then served as the CFC director in Washington, D.C. for three years. He was on the Ripley County Co-op Board, the Soil and Water Conservation Board and was also a 4-H leader for many years, as well as serving on the Napoleon State Bank Board of Directors for 25 years. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash on December 14, 1988, by Governor Robert Orr.
He was a lifelong farmer, and Founder and Co-Owner of Harmeyer Farms, Inc. with his three sons. His favorite past times were dancing, playing cards, watching the Reds and Bengals, and golfing. He loved seeing his great grandkids.
He is survived by his wife Bernice of Batesville; sons Irvin (Margie) Harmeyer, Kenneth (Terry) Harmeyer, and Gerald (Mindy) Harmeyer, all of Batesville; grandchildren Keith, Benjamin, Ethan, Aaron, and Austin Harmeyer, Kimberly Rahe, Kayla Guidry, and Amanda Sutton; 16 great grandchildren, with one on the way. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Kunkel and brother Ron Harmeyer.
Visitation was held Monday, February 26th, from 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at 1:00 p.m., at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville, with Fr. Suresh Ganta officiating. The burial was at the church cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Ripley County V.F.W. Post #3183 and by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 of Batesville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Margaret Mary Health Foundation Hospice or the V.F.W. Post #3183.
