Ralph E. Ruckman

Ralph Emery "Opa� Ruckman, 76, passed away Friday, January 5, 2007. Ingrid Charlotte "Oma� Ruckman, 72, passed away January 11, 2007. Ralph and Ingrid resided in North Canton, OH. Ralph was born March 10, 1930 in Bellaire, OH to Earssel "Ralph� and Edna Matilda May (Yocum) Ruckman. Ralph served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Germany he met and married Ingrid in 1954. During his life in Canton he taught at and retired from Plain Local Schools, owned and operated Ruckman & Son�s Drywall, was a member of the Jackson Township Zoning Board of Appeals, and was an Elder and Pastor for the RLDS church in Massillon, OH. Ralph is survived by his brothers Gary Ruckman, Bruce Ruckman and wife Jane, sisters Mae Lasley and husband Waldo, Nancy Lappert, and Edna Rose Ruckman, sister-in-law Shirley Farley and husband Al. Opa was preceded in death by his brother Edward Ellsworth Ruckman. Ingrid was born December 1, 1934 in Berlin, Germany to Johannes "Karl� and Margarete "Charlotte� (Richardt) Menzel. Mrs. Ruckman became a naturalized United States citizen on February 3, 1961. She was a dedicated member and wife of an RLDS minister, as well as a women�s leader and youth leader for the church. Ingrid is survived by her twin brothers Gerhard Menzel and wife Renate and Heinz Menzel and wife Erika, half-brother Manfred Menzel. Oma was preceded in death by her infant brother Manfred Karl Menzel.

In life as well as death, Ralph and Ingrid were an example of love and dedication to their church, each other, and their family. They never met a stranger and their "family� extended around the globe. Ralph and Ingrid�s children are eternally grateful for their loving example of faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Their dedication to each other, their family, and friends has been and will continue to be a blessing to all who knew them.

Ingrid and Ralph are survived by their sons Dr. Ralph K. Ruckman and wife Brenda, Gerhard F. "Gary� Ruckman, daughters Charlotte I. Bradford and husband Keith, Lisa Ruckman Durham and husband Tim; grandchildren Jessica, Jami and Sara Ruckman, Allison and Adam Ruckman, Angela, Karl and Kristin Bradford, Sean Durham. They are preceded in death by their daughter-in-law Donna J. Ruckman. Services will be Sunday 12:00 noon, January 14, 2007 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64052. Visitation will be from 10-12:00 noon. Burial in Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, MO. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice.