Ralph L. Myrkle

Ralph L. Myrkle, 85, of Decatur, died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, May 27, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St, Dowagiac with Pastor Kel Penny officiating. Burial will be held before the service at Hamilton Cemetery in Decatur, MI. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday, May 26, 2017 at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. Dowagiac. Memorial contributions can be made to the church or to Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ralph’s guestbook may do so online at www.clarkch.com. Ralph was born on February 2, 1932 in Aurora, IL to Laurence O. & Mary S. (Snyder) Myrkle. He married Mary Louise Zechiel on November 19, 1955 at the Keeler United Methodist Church. Mr. Myrkle was a 1949 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School, and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University, and a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. He was also a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving during the time of the Korean Conflict. From 1960s to 1990s, he lived in Bancroft, Michigan and was a Drafting and Industrial Arts teacher at Central High School in Flint, MI. He was a part-time farmer, and a talented mechanic who enjoyed helping others with their projects. He especially enjoyed collecting, restoring and showing antique tractors and farm equipment, including two Rumely OilPull tractors. His other interests included reading, square dancing, and ‘motorhoming.’ After retiring from teaching, he drove tour buses for Indian Trails for 15 years, and was a long-time volunteer for the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps of Rosemont, Illinois. He was an active church volunteer and a long-time member of the Hamilton Township Planning Commission. Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Mary Louise; daughter, Mary Lynn (Mark) Knapp of Rockford, MI; son, Bryan P. (Amanda) Myrkle of Charlotte, MI; adopted daughter Kathy Anne Myrkle of Sparta, MI; 6 grandchildren, Julianne (Joshua) Minnie of Caledonia, MI, Melody (Timothy) Leszczar of Havrede Grace, MD, Robert (Heather) Knapp of Valley Lee, MD, Steven (Melinda) Knapp of Sparta, MI, Lauren Myrkle of Charlotte, MI and Lily Myrkle of Charlotte, MI; 10 great-grandchildren, Kaden, Ethan and Devon Minnie, Isaac, Bethany, Cherith, Eve, Benjamin and Gloria Leszczar and Logan Knapp, a brother, William S. “Whity” (Sharon) Myrkle of Bangor, MI. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Myrkle and sister, Phyllis Hemenway.