Ralph Kelbley Obituary

Ralph J. "Jack" Kelbley Jr.

Ralph J. "Jack" Kelbley Jr. died Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

He was born April 15, 1933, in Tiffin, to Ralph J. Kelbley and Clara "Mimi" (Ridenour).

When Jack graduated from Calvert High School in 1951, he joined U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany for much of his enlistment. Afterwards, he returned home to Tiffin and married his high school sweetheart, Betty, on July 16, 1955. He enrolled in Tiffin University where he graduated in 1957 with a general business course diploma. He was hired by Marathon Oil Company in the commercial real estate department. Many years later, he took early retirement and opened Gable House, a country antique store in Findlay. He later worked with his son in building new homes.

"Happy Jack" loved dancing, singing, and going to antique auctions. He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Findlay.

He is survived by his brothers, Charles (Paula) and Steve (Kathy) Kelbley; sister-in-law, Carol "Susie" (Kuebler) Piatt; sons, Roy G. (Kate) Simpson of Cameron Park, California, and Mark J. (Patty) Kelbley of Scottsdale, Arizona; daughters, Anne M. (Bill) Daum of Buckeye, Arizona, and Jane K. (Steve) Schroeder, Janet S. Kelbley, and Jackie K. (Troy) Althaus, all of Findlay; granddaughters, Jennie LaMaster, Amy Ball, Rebecca Daum, Amber Butler, and Kristine Roberson; grandsons, Jason Ball, Jeremy Reznik, Christopher Reznik, and Roy W. Simpson; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Libby, and Baylee LaMaster, Calib Delacruz, Braedon and Tyler Olson, KC, Payge, and Presley Butler, and Kaleb, Kaylie, and Sierra Roberson; great-great-grandchildren, Silas and Saleah Delacruz; stepgrandchildren, Kent and Ryan Schroeder, Melissa Weyer, and Margaret Brunett; and special friend, Jean Holmes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (Kuebler); sister, Eileen (Schares); and grandson-in-law, Mark LaMaster.

Jack's visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2023, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 750 Bright Road, Findlay. Father Adam Hertzfeld will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Tiffin, where full military rites will be conducted by Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad.

Memorials may be given to either St. Michael's Church as Jack loved going to Mass or Master Gardeners, as gardening was his passion.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.coldrencrates.com.