BEAVERCREEK, OHIO – Ralph Edward Shepard, age 91, of Beavercreek, Ohio, died on May 15, 2026. Ralph was born on September 6, 1934, in East Saint Louis, Illinois, to the late Nathaniel and Daisy (nee Davis) Shepard. Ralph was a 1954 graduate of Belleville High School and later attended The Missouri School of Mines, earning a BS degree in Mining Engineering. On January 23, 1960, in Washington, Missouri, he married his sweetheart, Carol Jean Meise, and the two began raising a family together.

Ralph worked for several different mining companies throughout his career as a mining engineer. In his free time, Ralph enjoyed his children and their interests, participating in community theater, and listening to music. He was always fixing and building things. He belonged to the Kiwanis Club, where he served as a Lieutenant Governor in the state of Florida. He also served on the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council, as a governor appointment in Florida, and progressed to being the head of the council. Ralph’s friends and family will remember him most for his big smile, his fix-it or build-it skills, wallpapering, singing around the house, and his love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol; children, Timothy Shepard and Cynthia (John) Raquet; grandchildren, Johanna (Zach) Demers, Nathaniel (Maggie) Raquet, Eleanor Raquet, Carolyn (Noah) Shinabarger, Rosemary (Jack) Strunk, Hendrick (Adora) Raquet, Frederick Raquet, and Christian Raquet; and great grandchildren, Elsie, Charlie, Hope, Silas, Evan, John John, Haven, Teddy, Elsah, Gunnar and Daisy.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Nathaniel “Than” Shepard, and half-sister, Elma Dell Holden.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 11 AM – 12 PM at Arbor Church, 720 Burkhardt Ave, Dayton, OH. A funeral service will follow at the church at 12 PM with Pastor Brian Pinney officiating. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery, Monroe Township, Ohio.

Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday between 9 - 11 AM. Memorial donations may be made to the church in honor of Ralph. Donation envelopes will be provided at the church. For additional information and to view Ralph’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.


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