Ralph E. Rheinheimer

Ralph E. Rheinheimer, age 91, of Orrville, died on March 12, 2026, at Ohio's Hospice LifeCare in Wooster, following a period of declining health.

Born on February 3, 1935, in Shipshewana, Indiana, to Edward and Laura (Reinhardt) Rheinheimer, Ralph graduated from Shipshewana High School in 1953. He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Goshen College and a master's degree in Chemistry Education from Indiana University. In 1962, he married Carol Stout in South Bend, Indiana. The couple shared more than six decades together.

Ralph began his professional life as a teacher in New Carlisle, Indiana, from 1960 to 1974. After moving to Orrville, he worked for many years as a real estate agent with Green Valley Realty and Real Estate Showcase. A lifelong learner and servant, he spent five years in Kenya teaching chemistry. He was a longtime member of Orrville Mennonite Church and the Orrville Rotary Club. Ralph found great joy in an active life that included regular tennis, serving as the first tennis coach at Central Christian High School, golf, photography, and cheering at his grandchildren's sporting events. He also cherished the years when his children were young, keeping horses and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; three children, Randal (Sue) Rheinheimer of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Lisa (Joel) Otto of Orrville, and Jon (Cherry) Rheinheimer of Seattle, Washington; and ten grandchildren, Eric, Abby, Riley, Quinn, Nathan, Jonah, Leah, Samuel, Kelvin, and Mia. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Beth Ann Rheinheimer, and seven siblings: Rachel, Floyd, Dora, Lila, Howard, Rollin, and Florence.