Ralph McKelvy, 95

Ralph Monroe McKelvy, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 95 on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.

Ralph is survived by his children, Michael (Betty) McKelvy of Ketchikan, Alaska, and Virginia (Wayne) Dorsey, Gregory Rose and Debra Greene, all of Post Falls, Idaho. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Rob Dorsey, Jake Rose, Jessica Lusby, Jamie Spranget, Michelle Bushnell, Michael Greene, Daniel McKelvy, Steven McKelvy and Daniel Rose. Also surviving him are several great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ina (Vance) McKelvy, three brothers, Raymond, Earl and Leonard, and three sisters, Lilla, Ruth and Margie.

Ralph was born Sept. 2, 1927, in Irondale, Wash. In 1930, the family moved to Belfair, Wash., and lived on a small farm. He spent many happy days fishing the Union River. Ralph attended school in Belfair, graduating from the eighth grade, he went on to attend high school in Port Orchard, Wash. In 1944, he joined the Merchant Marines and received an honorable discharge in December 1945.

Work was an integral part of his life, starting in the sixth grade working for Evergreen Parking Co. for two years. During high school, he worked at the Bremerton Shipping Yards. During his young adulthood, he worked in the logging industry, but construction and running heavy equipment were where his heart and soul were. Ralph was employed by N.A. Degerstorm of Spokane, Wash., for 33 years, retiring in 1994 as Job Superintendent of the Getchel Mine in Winnemucca, Nev.

He was first married to Lois Jacobs in 1946 and they had a son, Michael McKelvy. In 1950 Ralph married Bonnie Hewlett. In that union, Debra was born. In 1956 he met and married his soulmate and love of his life, Geneva Rose. They shared 50 wonderful years together before she passed in February 2006. In 1956, they made their life and home in Post Falls, Idaho.

In 2008, he met Mildred Prater and enjoyed her companionship, traveling and dancing, until her passing.

Ralph was a member of the Eagles, Kootenai 24 Masons, the Shriners and local No. 370.

Visitation is Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Funeral Service at 1 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls. Interment Evergreen Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.