Ralph Pickens

Ralph Pickens, 96 of Lucerne, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2017 in his residence.

Born on November 14, 1920 in Kewanna, Indiana, he was the son of the late Frank E. and Blanche M. (Morris) Pickens.  On May 23, 1943 in the Metea Baptist Church Ralph married Ondah R. Manning who preceded him in death on December 29, 2015.

Ralph retired as a tool and die maker in 1985 after working for Logan Machine Company for 40 years. Ralph was a United States Army Veteran serving from 1942 – 1946 in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was a member of Metea Baptist Church where he was a former Sunday School Superintendent. Ralph was also a member of the V.F.W Post #3790, American Legion Post #60, a 50 year member of the Fulton Masonic Lodge #665 and member of the Eastern Star of Royal Center #375.

Surviving are two daughters, Sheila Anthony & husband Jack, Louisville, KY; Raenae Overmyer & husband Carl, Rochester, IN; six grandchildren, Matthew Anthony and wife Sydney, Louisville, KY; David Overmyer & wife Angie, Rochester; Ben Overmyer and Leigh, Rochester, IN; Sarah Anthony and John, Westbrook, ME; Grace Miller & husband David, Fishers, IN; Hannah Goforth & husband Rich, Pittsburgh, PA; great grandchildren, Dawson Overmyer, Mia Overmyer, Arya Goforth, Evie Goforth, Charlotte Goforth, Naomi Miller and Titus Miller; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by five sisters, Esther Books, Helen Smith, Mabel Burrous, Edna Annis and Opal Pickens; six brothers, Herman, Raymond, Frank Jr., Robert, Clyde and Clifford Pickens.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 9, 2017 in the Gundrum Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Foreman and Pastor Tyler Murphy officiating. Burial with full military graveside rites will follow in the Metea Cemetery, Metea, IN.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 8, also in the funeral home. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00PM in the Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Metea Baptist Church.

You may sign Ralph’s guestbook online at www.gundrumcares.com