Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Monitor on March 29, 2010 RALPH E. ASHWANDER, age 91, died March 26, 2010 in McAllen, Texas. He was born on June 4, 1918 in White City, Alabama. He attended John Tarleton and Texas A&M, graduating from Texas A&M Class of 1939 with a B.S. in Entomology. He loved his Aggie Football. A veteran of World War II serving with the Coast Guard as radar man aboard the U.S.S. Belfast, he fought in the Pacific Theater and participated in the Liberation of the Philippines in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the war he married Hannah Geneva Eudaly on February 14, 1947. During their marriage they lived in Houston, on the ranch in Lometa then moved to McAllen, Texas in 1956. Ralph worked as an Entomologist for the U. S. Department of Agriculture at the International Bridge in Hidalgo, Texas, where he retired after 25 years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, barbecuing and spending time with his dogs and good friends at Walker Lake in La Joya. At the lake he was known as "Don Rafael", a great cook and a "Barbecue Legend". He is survived by his wife Geneva of 63 years and three children, daughter Nancy Merkh and husband John of Waco, Texas, daughter Peggy Ashwander of Corsicana, Texas and son Bob Ashwander and wife Cherie of Katy, Texas. Grandchildren Laura Merkh, Beth Merkh and Andrew Merkh of Waco, Texas. Grandchildren Lindsay Johnson and husband Brandon, Brittany Stewart and Mallory Ashwander of Katy, Texas. The family would like to thank his caregivers, Meals On Wheels, Norma his nurse and everyone at IMS Home Health Care, Inc., his house keeper Mari Trevino, and especially his good friend Salvador Bernal. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Senior Companion Program, 840 W. Austin Ave., Alamo, Texas 78516. Services are pending and will be announced by Kreidler Funeral Home, Inc.kreidlerfuneralhome.com Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries

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