Ralph Duane Mendenhall

78, of Van Wert, died at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2009, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.

He was born November 25, 1930, in South Bend, Ind., the son of the late Walter and Pauline (Bell) Mendenhall. He married Norma Jean (Pogue) Mendenhall, who survives in Van Wert.

Mr. Mendenhall had been an electrical lineman for the N.G. Gilbert Company of Muncie, Ind., where he was also vice president in charge of the Line Division. He had been a member of the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for more than 50 years.

In addition to his wife, survivors include seven children, Steven (Michele) Mendenhall, Gregory (Cheryl) Mendenhall and Kevin (Traci) Mendenhall, all of Van Wert, Janet (Jim) McGee of Celina, Valerie (Jim) Willham of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Julia (Don) Larew of Dublin, and Mark (Marcia) Mendenhall of Leo, Ind.; a brother, Walter (Flora) Mendenhall of Boulder, Colo.; two sisters, Charlene (Don) Owens of Austin, Texas, and Donna McCarthy of Muncie, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Scott (Tanim) Mendenhall of Celina, Tracy Blumer and Natalie Larew, both of Dublin, Bradley (Lydia) Mendenhall, Erin Sellers, Seth Mendenhall, Cody Hagaman and Taylor Hagaman, all of Van Wert, Adrienne McGee of Spencerville, Mitch (Amanda) McGee of Hilliard, Brian (Liz) Willham of Iowa City, Iowa, Jeff (Robyn) Willham of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Kirsten Jones and Megan Jones, both of Leo, Ind.; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A daughter, Susan Agler; one brother, Philip Mendenhall; and a sister, Marilyn Bean, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Tim Burden officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, February 15, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions: American Cancer Society or Community Health Professionals in Van Wert.