Obituary of Ralph E. Tingwall

Ralph Egon Tingwall, 85, of 140 Aldren Ave., formerly of 125 E. Virginia Blvd., died at 11:25 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2010 at the Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Jamestown on January 24, 1925, the son of the late Egon and Frida Nelson Tingwall. He was the husband of the former Helen Gustafson whom he married October 12, 1946 and who died November 30, 2006. Ralph was a 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School. Following graduation he attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II in the Pacific Theater and was a Plank Owner (original crew member) on the Destroyer Escort USS Weaver D.E. 741. The ship and its crew received ten battle stars and experienced two typhoons. He was discharged in February 1946 as a Motor Machinist Mate First Class. Following his discharge from the service, Ralph joined the family business, Jamestown Blower Co. and retired as president in 1979 when the company was sold. Confirmed in the class of 1939, he was a member of First Lutheran Church where he had served on the Board of Trustees. Other memberships include Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge #145 F & AM, Destroyer Escort Sailors Assoc., Plank Owners of Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. and John W. Tiffany Post #53 VFW. He was a former member of Moon Brook Country Club, Norden Club, Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, Jamestown Shrine Club and Ismailia Shrine Temple. Surviving are a son, Mark J. (Charyl) Tingwall of Tarpon Springs, FL and daughter, Rebecca (William Kenny) Tingwall of Bonita Springs, FL. A private family service will be held. Visitation will be observed. Following cremation, burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to the Lutheran Social Services Foundation, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701.