Ralph V. Prenger

Ralph V. Prenger, age 90, of Botkins, died at his home on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.  He was born on April 20, 1933, in Egypt, to the late Henry & Clara (Schlarman) Prenger.  On September 17, 1966, he married Ruth Ann (Schaub) Prenger who survives.

Ralph is also survived by four children and their spouses, Marla and Gary Gross of Loveland, Cheryl and David Edelmann of Sidney, John and Sue Prenger of Botkins, and Jason and Sarah Prenger of Botkins.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Anthony, Nathan, Isaac, and Kyle Edelmann, Garrett, Gwen, and Grace Prenger, and Kathryn, Eli, Alex, and Leah Prenger.  He is survived by siblings and in-laws, Mary Ann Lefeld of St. Henry, Alma Meyer of Fort Loramie, Cletus and Rosann Prenger of Minster, Therese Schmidt of Sidney, Phyllis Schaub of Wapakoneta and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ralph is preceded in death by siblings and in-laws, Alvina and Vernon Ahrens, Norbert and Angela Prenger, Leonard and Mildred D. Prenger, Edwin and Mildred E. Prenger, Viola and Raymond Schmidt, Delores and Louis Meyer, Martin Lefeld, Werner and Norma Jean Prenger, Herman Meyer, Roger Schmidt, Norman Schaub, and Nelson Schaub.

Ralph was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Rhine where he formerly served as a member of the Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister, lector, and CCD teacher.  He faithfully served in the Eucharistic Adoration ministry for many years.  Ralph was a man of deep faith whose love of God was reflected in the love he showed his family.   He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner.  He was a member of the Maria Stein Knights of St. John and enjoyed playing softball in his younger days.  Ralph worked as an engineer at Monarch in Sidney for over 36 years until his retirement.  He was a veteran of the Korean War with service in the Army from 1953 to 1955.  He enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns, Dayton Flyers, and the Ohio State Buckeyes but his greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren in their many activities.  Ralph’s kind spirit and gentle smile was a gift to all who knew him.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2023 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Rhine.  Father Michael Willig will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.  Friends and family may call from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Wapakoneta, where a short prayer service will be offered by the Knights of St. John at 3:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church and designated for the Stained Glass Window Fund.