Ralph Dean Stewart

Ralph Dean Stewart was born July 27, 1924, at Centropolis, Kansas. He was the son of Ray Denver and Lydia May (Moses) Stewart. A lifelong Franklin County, Kansas resident, he made his home in Ottawa, until his death Friday, November 21, 2003, at the age of seventy-nine years. Ralph graduated from Appanoose High School with the class of 1942. He was a lifelong farmer and stockman. He was also employed by Bennett's Ice Plant, Ottawa, in the 1940's; Hercules Sunflower Ammunition Plant, DeSoto, in the 1950's and 1970's; and Franklin County Road and Bridge Department from 1977 to 1989. He also owned and operated several restaurants, including Junction Corner in Baldwin, and Stewart's Cafe, Andrew's Grill, and Delote Cafe, all in Ottawa. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1949, during World War II, in Europe, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He attended Centropolis Baptist Church. Ralph was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed mowing and working outside. He also enjoyed watching all kinds of sporting events and visiting with his friends. Ralph's greatest enjoyment, however, came from spending time with his family. On June 24, 1952, Ralph was united in marriage with Kathryn L. Teter at Bentonville, Arkansas. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Bonnie Ramsey and her husband, Kent, of Ottawa, Kansas, Linda Tate and her husband, Lawrence, of Lawrence, Kansas; two sons, David Stewart and Maria, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Jim Stewart of Ottawa, Kansas; seven grandchildren; six step grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ray Marvin Stewart. SERVICES: Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2003, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Centropolis, Kansas, with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, Ottawa. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Clyde Greisen. IN STATE: Mr. Stewart will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Monday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 12:30 p.m. Wednesday prior to procession to the cemetery. CEMETERY: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Centropolis, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggest memorials to Centropolis Fire Department or Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.