The Derrick, Wednesday, April 9, 1975

RIMERSBURG - Ralph E. Switzer, 71, of Rimersburg, a retired coal miner and former owner of Switzer's Nursery, died Tuesday in Butler Hospital following a lingering illness.

He was born June 20, 1903, a son of John P. and Orpha Stanford Switzer. He was married February 15, 1923, to the former Velma Fowler, who survives.

Mr. Switzer was a member of the United Mine Workers of America and was affiliated with the Rimersburg United Methodist Church.

Surviving along with his wife, Mrs. Velma Switzer, are two sons, Jack E. Switzer of Erie and Donald A. (Blondie) Switzer of New Bethlehem; eight daughters, Mrs. Robert (Martha) Patton of Johnstown, Mrs. Bernice Hawk and Mrs. William (Pat) Elder of Rimersburg, Mrs. John (Janet) Greenawailt of Erie, Mrs. Alvin (Gloria) Kriebel of Brooklyn, Ind., Mrs. Wayne (Bonnie) Pencenstadler of Hamburg, N.Y., Mrs. Charles (Jane) McClain of Blasdell, N.Y., and Mrs. Donald (Sue) Mohney of Hawthorn; 33 grandchildren and 11 great - grandchildren.

Also surviving are four brothers, George, Miles and Robert Switzer of Rimersburg and Homer Switzer of Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Rena Buzzard of Rimersburg and Mrs. Dorothy Adams of Sharon.

Two brothers and two sisters are deceased. A son, Ralph E.Switzer, was killed in action in World War II and a daughter, Pauline Switzer Myers, died November 13, 1959.

Friends will be received at the Dick E. Kline Funeral Home in Rimersburg (successor to the Moore - Kline Funeral Home) after 7 pm today.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Friday in the funeral home with Rev. J. D. Schrecengost, pastor of the Rimersburg United Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by Rev. J. C. Himes, Wesleyan Methodist minister.

Interment will be in the Rimersburg Cemetery.