Ralph J. Bailey, 94, of Columbia City, died Thursday, November 18, 2021 at his home

Ralph was born in Columbia City on September 20, 1927, the son of the late Ralph J. and Pearl C. (Goppert) Bailey. He graduated from Pierceton High School with the class of 1945.

On May 1994, he was married to Myrna J. (Geyer) Bailey.  They made their home in Columbia City.

Ralph was inducted into the Army Airforce February 14, 1946 and served until April 4, 1947.

He received his BS in education from Manchester College, MS from Indiana University and Superintendents Certificate from Ball State.  He began his career as a teacher at Coesse school and then he became principal at Etna Troy Elementary. From 1966 to 1989, he was superintendent of Columbia City Schools. From 1991 to 2013, he took on several interim positions including Waterford, Manchester College, Whitko, Wabash, Westview, Smith-Green, Fairfield, Northern Heights, Argos, N. Miami Community Schools, Warsaw, Riverbluff Apartments, Diplomat Apartments and Performance Services

His achievements included Alumni Honor Award, Columbia City Citizen of the Year, Whitley County Consolidated School Board, Chairman of United Way, Whitley County Volunteer of the year, Bowen Center, V.P. at John and Hester Adams Trust Board, Community Foundation of Whitley County, Step Ahead Council, Retired Teachers Association, Founder of Somebody Cares Inc., Loren Burton Award – Top Education Award for State Sagamore of the Wabash Award, State International Reading Award, Sena Kauty Memorial Award, Elder and Sunday School Teacher at Troy Presbyterian Church, Ralph Bailey "I Can Library", Honor Alumni Award, Carl F. Anston Award – Child Protection Services, 23 year member of Upper Wabash Valley School Council, 38 year member of Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, member of American Legion, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Royal Order of the Moose, Grand Lodge F & A.M. of Indiana American Association of Retired Persons, Mizpah Temple of Fort Wayne, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Wayne, Phi Delta Kappa, Old Settlers Redcoats and  Columbia City United Methodist Church

Ralph was an avid gardener and was well known for his plants and flowers.

Surviving are his wife, Myrna; sons, Dennis G. (Susan) Bailey, Gary Bailey, Kerry J. (Becky) Bailey, Bart A. (Becky) Bailey, Bret A. Bailey; daughter, Diann K. Weade; step-daughters Diana J. (Kim) Hare, Lisa A. Peppler; 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Lauretta C. Bailey; sisters, Ruby Widman, Helen Aldrich, Cora Barney; brothers, Robert Bailey, Lewis Bailey and Donald Bailey.

The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Hillcrest Cemetery, with the Korean War Honor guard presenting honors. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Ralph's honor in lieu of flowers are to the Whitley County Community Foundation.