Ralph E. Beers Dies Suddenly
Retired City Grocer Heart Attack Victim
   Ralph E. Beers, 69, of 136 South Franklin Street, retired city grocer, died yesterday of a heart attack at Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he had been vacationing with his wife during the last month.
   Mr. Beers, who retired from active business in 1945 because of occasional illness, was in apparent good health before being stricken yesterday. On Wednesday night he attended a social affair at Laurel, Del., given by Capt. Raymond Quillan, with whom he had served in the Merchant Marine during World War 1.
   Mr. Beers was attempting to bring wood into the cottage for the fireplace when stricken. Neighbors found him lying on the lawn. He was dead before medical aid could be given.
   Mr. Beers, before retiring was for many years operator of the city's oldest grocery store, W. D. Beers, Incorporated, 7 West Market Street. In 1935 he took over management of the store which was founded in 1894 by his late father, W. D. Beers. The store was later taken over by W. D. Beers' brothers, Harry and Ben Beers, both of whom have since died.
   When Ralph Beers took over the business in 1935 he made extensive renovations and included a dining room on the second floor. He sold the restaurant business in 1945 to Henry F. Groff, Jr.
   As a young man of about 16, Mr. Beers spent two years on a sailing vessel on voyages around South America. During World War 1, he served with the Merchant Marine as a ship's officer.
   For a while after World War 1 he engaged in the lumber business in both Laurel, Del., and Trenton N. J. He gave up the lumber business in 1935 when he returned to Wilkes-Barre to operate his late father's store.
   Mr. Beers, an ardent fisherman, was instrumental in securing passage of some of the early fishing and conservation laws of New Jersey. His interests also included Indian lore, and he had one of the finest collections Indian relics in Pennsylvania. In 1934 he helped found the Archaeological Society of Delaware. He was also a connoisseur of early American furniture.
   Mr. Beers was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, city, and belonged to the Masonic and Shrine organizations as well as the Craftsman's Club.
   Mr. Beers leaves his wife, the former Edith Vernon and two sons, William D. Beers, Jr., Boston, and Ralph E. Beers, Sheffield, Mass.
   Arrangements by Homer E. Graham.
(Wilkes-Barre Record, 9 Nov 1951)