Honoring Ralph F Bornhorst

Ralph Franklin Bornhorst age 99, of Sidney, Ohio, died on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Ohio Living Dorothy Love nursing facility, Sidney.

He was born on February 18, 1922 in Anna to the late Louis & Rose (Meyer) Bornhorst. He married Rita (Bensman) in 1946 and she preceded him in death on February 9, 1986. Ralph married Madeline (Bigham) Bornhorst in 1987 who preceded him in death on March 28, 2019.

Ralph and Rita’s children include James & Laura Bornhorst of Miamisburg, Michael & Elisabeth Bornhorst (1st wife Maria deceased in 2004) of Schruns, Austria, Jerry & Michelle Bornhorst of Troy, Steven & Pamela Bornhorst of Troy, Kathleen & Clarence “Woody” (deceased 2014) Sturm of Sidney, Joe & Bev Bornhorst of Dayton, Annette & Jim (deceased 2006) Boone of Sidney, and Patricia & Randy Meinking of Centerville.

Ralph is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren (two grandchildren deceased), and siblings Verona Poeppelman, Dorothy Combs, Paul Bornhorst, and Raymond Bornhorst. He was preceded in death by his siblings Norma Bensman, Lester Bornhorst, Urban Bornhorst, Homer Bornhorst, Martha Borchers, Adella Brown and Eileen Borchers.

Ralph proudly served his country in the Navy on the battleship USS Idaho during WWII and witnessed the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima. Ralph was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, McCartyville, and was a member of the Choir and Historian. He worked as a manager at Swanders Farmers Grain Elevator for 33 years. He also was a farmer and loved calling square dances which he is still remembered for today.

Ralph was a community servant and it showed! While he is best known as “Uncle Sam” in the Shelby County parades, he also was a “big brother” in the Big Brother/Big Sisters of Sidney, Kiwanis member (President 1999), School Board member for Anna School, Shelby County Education Service Center and Upper Valley Joint Vocation School. In 1999, he received the Zenith Community Service Award by Sidney Chamber of Commerce. Ralph was a Shelby County Park District Friend and donated land that is now Bornhorst Woods.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, McCartyville, with Rev. Steve Mondiek celebrant. Burial with full military honors will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus cemetery. Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster from 4 PM to 7 PM on Monday, May 24th, and at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Tuesday 9 AM to 10 AM before mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Ohio Hospice of Miami County, 3230 North County Road 25-A, Troy, OH 45373 or Shelby County Park District, P.O. Box 205 Houston, OH 45333.

Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com