Ralph Michael

Ralph C Michael, age 96, of Gainesville, FL died on June 7, 2021, at his home residence. Ralph was born on May 25, 1925, in Frostburg, Maryland to the late Harry & Ruth (Weinbrenner) Michael.

Ralph was the only son in the family with 4 daughters. He attended the Beall Elementary and High School while growing up in Frostburg, MD. Ralph’s first job was running errands for the local restaurant at 10 cents per week. He joined the US Army in 1942 served in England, France and Germany with the 257th Combat Engineer Battalion. After the war, he began working for the Kelly Springfield Tire Company in Cumberland, Maryland. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting and fishing but spent most of his life working. In 1949 he married Juanita Holtzman and lived in and around Frostburg, had two sons, Allen and Jeffrey Michael, in 1951 and 1955, respectively. They owned and operated a corner grocery store from 1957 to 1970 and they moved to Ridgeley, West Virginia around 1972. Summer vacations were often camping with his family in New Jersey, Maryland, and South Carolina. He retired in 1982 after working 37 years at the tire plant. During his retirement years, he traveled back and forth to Florida spending time with family and friends.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, and Son, Jeffrey L. Michael. He is lovingly survived by his Wife, Juanita M. Michael, Son, R. Allen Michael and his Spouse Bonnie Michael, 4 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren, 7 nieces and 2 Nephews.

Ralph’s family and friends will gather at the Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, on Friday, June 11, 2021, from 1-2 PM. A Family Reflections Service will be held at 2 pm.

Ralph will travel home one last time to Frostburg, MD for Graveside services and military Honors at the Frostburg Memorial Park. Maryland services will be under the direction of the Sowers Funeral Home, Frostburg, MD.

A Graveside service will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Frostburg Memorial Park with the Rev. George M. Harpold officiating.  American Legion Farrady Post 24 will accord military honors at the graveside.