James E. "Jim" Ralston

James E. "Jim" Ralston, 96, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, with Masonic services by Ottawa Lodge No. 18, A.F. & A.M. Family will meet with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to service. Interment Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Jim was born August 9, 1924 in Montrose, Pennsylvania, the son of William H. and Della Evans (Chaffee) Ralston. He moved in 1940 with his family to Ottawa from Montrose, Pennsylvania. Starting in 1951 he and his family moved several times with his work and returned to Ottawa in 1957. Jim attended Ottawa High School and later earned his General Equivalency Development Diploma. Jim served in the United States Army during World War II from June 1943 until December 1945, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He served in the Ryukus Campaign and in the Southern Philippines and received the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Following his active service, he served in the National Guard of Kansas as a Corporal in Hq Btry, 127th FA Bn until being honorably discharged on November 17, 1951. On Monday, June 29, 1942, Jim was united in marriage to Rose Marceline “Marty” Barnes at Harrisonville, Missouri. She preceded him in death on October 10, 2005. He was also preceded in death by parents, William and Della Ralston; brothers, William “Bill” Ralston and David Ralston; sister, Sarah “Sally” Brotton; great-grandson, Chet Fredricks and sons-in-law, Ray Larrick and Bud Elder. Survivors include daughters, Kay Wilburn and husband Bob and Carolyn Elder, all of Ottawa; son, Jim Ralston, Jr. of Shawnee, Kansas; grandson, Ryan Schnoke and wife Cristina of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughters, Brenda Fredricks and husband Chester of Williamsburg, Trisha Kaub and husband Dan of Ottawa, Traci Martin and husband Michael of Lubbock, Texas, Tori Wilson and husband Russ of Ottawa and Heather Hansen of Utah; fourteen great grandchildren, thirteen great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-granddaughter. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for several construction companies until 1968; for Killough, Inc from 1968 until 1978 as a truck owner/driver; at Ned Hiatt’s Country Sales from 1978 until 1986, servicing recreational vehicles and for Franklin County for a year and a half before retiring in 1986. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Oxford Service Forum Sunday school class, Ottawa Lodge No. 18, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, a Charter and Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5901, a Life Member of the Ottawa Promenaders and Pioneer Plus Square Dance Clubs and volunteered many years as a driver for Meals on Wheels. Memorial contributions may be made to Ottawa First United Methodist Church or VFW Post 5901 c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.