Ralph Emerson Kistler Jr., 75, of Ligonier, Ind., passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday Dec. 27, 2013.

He was born at home on the family farm near Leiters Ford, Ind., on May 12, 1938, to Ralph E. Sr. and Verna B. (Cripe) Kistler. On June 27, 1959, he married Harolaine Marie Hoover in the Monterey Methodist Church in Monterey, Ind.

Ralph graduated as salutatorian in Aubbeenaubee Township High School in Leiters Ford. He excelled on the track, basketball and softball teams with such skill that he had been scouted by several colleges for basketball and by a minor league for pitching. His sports career was sidelined by heart damage incurred from rheumatic fever during the spring of his junior year.

Ralph attended Butler University his freshmen year and completed his last three years at Manchester College. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology Education. He then earned his M.S. degree in Biology at Ball State.

Ralph taught various levels of science for 40 years with 38 of those at West Noble School Corporation, Ligonier. He came to West Noble in 1962 and taught at Perry, at the original Ligonier High School, and at the new West Noble High School. He retired from West Noble Middle School in 2000. He also served as an exchange teacher in Ewa Beach, Hawaii from 1975-76 where he taught Science at Ilima Intermediate School. He and his family lived in Ewa Beach, Oahu during that time.

Ralph was also licensed by the state of Indiana to teach health and driver education. For a few years following retirement, he also served as a college supervisor for the Transition to Teaching Program at Bethel College, Mishawaka, Ind. During summers between school years, Ralph kept busy with a variety of work, but he most enjoyed the 30 years he spent as a field inspector for Indiana Crop Improvement Association.

Ralph had a deep, abiding faith in God and loved his family and treasured his friends. He ministered to others from 1974 as a member of both the Gideons and the Ligonier Evangelical Church where he served over the years as an usher, Sunday School teacher and in the choir. He also served others as a weekly volunteer at World Missionary Press in New Paris, Indiana for several years.

He is survived by his wife: Harolaine Marie Kistler, Ligonier; three children: Bonnie D. (Bill) Woodlee, Elkhart, Ind.; Kerry L. (Jil) Kistler, Springfield, Mo.; and Shareen S. (Jonathan) Lichtenberger, Wren, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Kara and Zachary Woodlee, Sarah (Kistler) Fry, Justin, Jeremy and Christy Kistler and Amber Lichtenberger; two great-grandchildren: Katherine and Andrew Kistler; and two siblings: John M. Kistler, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Cheryl K. Kistler,  Goshen, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Joe K. Kistler; and a granddaughter: Lydia Rose Lichtenberger.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at Ligonier Evangelical Church, 1911 Lincolnway S., Ligonier. A funeral service in Ralph’s memory will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, with calling beginning at 10 a.m. at the Ligonier Evangelical Church. Pastors Troy Diersing and John Lutton will be officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to World Missionary Press Inc., 19168 CR 146 P.O. Box 120, New Paris, IN 46553; or to the Gideons International (Noble County Camp), c/o Dan Alspach, 6413 E. 600 N., Churubusco, IN 46723.

Yeager Funeral Home in Ligonier is in charge of arrangements.