Ralph L. Wingrove, 70, of Indiana, passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 4, 2024.
Ralph was born on October 1, 1953, in Washington, Pennsylvania, to Wilma (Ringer) Wingrove and David Wingrove. He lived a typical small town childhood life where family was abundant, ponies were a source of transportation to and from cousins’ houses, lots of time was spent outdoors, Ralph was always the creator and organizer, he’d create his own entertainment or projects and this was how he would continue to live the remainder of his life.
Ralph graduated from McGuffey High School in 1971, and upon graduation, Ralph knew where he wanted his life to go, and he had a plan. The first in his family to have the opportunity to further his education, he attended and graduated from Edinboro University in 1975.
Following graduation, Ralph began to pursue his dreams and with his dashing smile, bright blue eyes, kindness, hard work, and being an excellent salesman, there was no doubt he would achieve everything he ever wanted. Labor Day weekend of 1975, he achieved his biggest and most successful achievement in life in that he met the love of his life, Marsha “Sam” Lee (Buell) Wingrove. He knew right away that they were meant to live their lives together, and they did. They were married on December 6, 1975, and kept true to their vows.
After marrying the love of his life, he then enlisted in the United States Air force. Ralph and Sam moved all over the country while Ralph was in active service. Upon being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ralph began working with his father-in-law on a railroad in connection with coal necessity. At that time, Ralph found the career that he had never known was waiting for him, and from then on, he and his wife decided that he would do his best in this new career path, and knowing Ralph, he would succeed in whatever he put his mind to. Many adventures with the young family would involve piling into an oversized car to spend a night in a hotel, while Ralph would work.
In only 10 short years after his college graduation, Ralph, with his wife by his side and supporting his every move, opened Rawlee Fuels, Inc., which later became RFI Energy, LP. Ambition and opportunity made Ralph a thoughtful businessman. His employees describe him as one of the best men for which they worked. His employees were loyal and kind and stood by him after his “retirement” – they were family too.
Ralph was a loving father, partner and businessman. There was a tenderness to him, as he’d let the girls put foam rollers in his hair when they were little, but they weren’t allowed to paint their fingernails in the house because he hated the smell. When he wasn’t working, he was present with his daughters as he’d watch cartoons on Saturday, tickle them with a playful phrase he’d always say: “you can’t escape the awful fate of Wingrove’s Mighty Fury,” and they burst into wild laughter. He supported each of the girls as they needed him throughout their lives, Amy’s love of horses, Leslie’s dance and cheer, Natalie’s incredible talent as a singer, and Ryan as she pursued her education and law degree.
He was regularly immersed in a project of some kind or another when he had free time outside of work. He and Sam began their love of gardening at their farm in Shelocta, worked to renovate two farms in the mid-80s, built a house in White’s Woods, and would eventually buy their dream home in Florida, and the property he resides in today. He built a cabin in the woods to relax in nature with friends and family, rehabbed and managed rental properties, planned vacations, and did landscaping. He was always busy. Many times he would say to his daughters, “big girls don’t cry,” and between himself and Sam, they raised four strong daughters, who will forever grieve the loss of their parents.
Throughout his time in Indiana, PA, Ralph had developed many friendships and had been an active member of many organizations which included the Masons and the Indiana County Country Club. He had been a board member for numerous organizations, including the YMCA, and S&T Bank, among others. His service with the Salvation Army was an extra special part of his life, as he too was served by them as a child. However, one of his most favorite memberships was the Allied Club, where he made friends that would be there to support him until the end.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughters; Amy Wingrove and her Fiancé, Mark Andrews (Wilmington, NC), Leslie Yount and her husband, Troy Yount (Indiana), Natalie Scott and her husband, David Scott,(Pittsburgh), and Ryan Wingrove and her husband, Josh Barber (Indiana). His grandchildren Olivia and Alison Stone, Tyler and Lyla Yount, and Dawson and Adalie Scott.
Also surviving Ralph are his father, David Wingrove, and his sisters, Cindy Strohecker and Barbara Padilla as well as several beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ralph is preceded in death by his mother, Wilma (Ringer) Wingrove and his wife, Marsha “Sam” Wingrove, the love of his life, who passed away on June 11, 2023.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 4 – 8 pm, as well as Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 2 -4 and 6 – 8 pm, in the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, 500 Ben Franklin Road South, Indiana; where a funeral service will be held at 11 am, on Monday, June 10, 2024, with Pastor Jack Lucas officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to “The Marsha Wingrove Memorial Fund” at S&T Bank (724) 349-0599, which was established to benefit a local high school senior.
To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.bowserminich.com.
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