Ralph E. Blaker, Jr.

Ralph E. Blaker, Jr., 77, of Carmichaels, Pa., died at 7:12 A.M. on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Rolling Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation, Waynesburg, Pa. He was born March 9, 1936 in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pa., a son of the late Ralph Eaton Blaker, Sr. and Garnet Elizabeth (Dugan) Buckingham and a step son of the late Sherman Buckingham. Mr. Blaker was a 1957 graduate of Cumberland Township High School in Carmichaels and resided in Cumberland Township most of his life. Mr. Blaker served with the U. S. Army, was a member of Carmichaels Grange No 1389 and had worked as a top man in coal mine construction for the R. G. Johnson Co. He enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, yard work, caring for horses and listening to polka music. Mr. Blaker showed unconditional love for his wife, children and grandchildren. On August 17, 1963, he married Dolores J. Yoders, who died March 14, 2004. Surviving are a son, Mark E. Blaker and his wife, Hope, of Dilliner, Pa.; two daughters, Lisa B. Mitchell and her husband, Greg, of Sierra Vista, Ariz. and Lori A. Webster of Carmichaels; six grandchildren, Kristie Tramel and her husband, Pat, Michael Bizub and his wife, Amanda, Kaitlin Mitchell, Garrett Mitchell, Emily Blaker and Madison Blaker; two great grandchildren, Lauren and Brooklyn; several nieces and nephews and three sisters-in-law, Joan Fuller and her husband, Bill, Helen Yoders and Emma Schubert and her husband, Duke. Deceased are a son-in-law, Ronald Webster and a brother-in-law, J. R. Yoders. Family and friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. on Thursday in the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Carmichaels, Pa. where the funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 12, 2013. The Rev. Harold O. Kelley will officiate. Interment will follow at Greene County Memorial Park with military honors accorded by Cumberland American Legion Post 400, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 and the United States Army. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.