Ralph Howard Bloomer

Ralph Howard Bloomer was born on Monday, January 28, 1918, in Rantoul, Kansas, the son of Charles Edward and Maude Elvira (Tede) Bloomer. A lifelong resident of Franklin County, Kansas, Ralph moved from Rantoul to Ottawa in 1967, where he made his home until his death on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at the age of ninety-two years. Ralph graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1936. In 1970, he was employed as a Housing Inspector with Farmers Home Administration for the United States Federal Government for thirteen years, serving all southeast Kansas counties, retiring in 1983. He also farmed and worked out of Hubbard Lumber Co. as a carpenter and contractor for many years. He was a member of First Baptist Church and Chupper’s Group of the Church, Ottawa; past member of Lane Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; member of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ottawa; past member of Royal Neighbors of America; served on the Rantoul School Board; organized the Shining Star 4-H Club of which he was project and community leader; started the bus service at Rantoul High School, where he worked as custodian for several years; was past member of Ruhamah Baptist Church, serving on several boards and as youth leader (ByF); was charter member of Treasure Lake Vacation Resort of Branson, Missouri; and Sertoma Club. He was also a volunteer for Ottawa University, Meals on Wheels, and Hope House, all of Ottawa. On March 29, 1942, Ralph was united in marriage with Elizabeth Belle Betty Thomas in Peoria, Kansas. They celebrated sixty-eight years together. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Betty Ann Roecker and her husband, Eldon, of Baldwin, KS, Sharon Kay Roecker and her husband, LeRoy, of Louisburg, KS; son, Ralph Edward “Ed” Bloomer of Ottawa; brother, Vernon Leonard Bloomer of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Opal Ellen Hogelin of Ottawa, Dorothy Mae Jackson of Tucson, AZ; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond Bloomer, Claude Bloomer, Carl Henry Bloomer, James Wayne Bloomer; two sisters, Grace Wofford, Blanche Swanson; and granddaughter, Wendy Sue Roecker. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010. IN STATE: Mr. Bloomer will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church or Franklin County Cancer Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary235 S. Hickory in Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.