Ralph Edwin Rowe, 92, of Wolcott, Indiana, died 7:15 PM on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Wesleyan Health and Rehabilitation located in Marion, Indiana. After living in Wolcott, he resided with his son Kenneth Rowe of West Lafayette, Indiana, then lastly, Jerry Rowe of Marion, Indiana. He was born January 31, 1919 on a farm in Round Grove Township, White County, Indiana. Ralph Rowe, along with his brother Billy, was raised alone by his mother, Lorene, after his father Walter's death in 1928, when Ralph was age 9. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Lorene (Morehouse) Rowe and his brother, Billy Rowe, who is survived by his wife Carolyn (Briar) Rowe. He graduated from Round Grove High School in 1937. He also attended Purdue for agricultural classes where he met Amelia Earhart. At age 23 he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and served 3 years, 2 years of which were in England during World War II. He worked as an airplane mechanic on P-51 fighters, P-38 fighters, and B-17 bombers with the 385th Squadron, 364th Group, 8th Air Force. After serving in WWII, Ralph married Helen Knowles on February 14th, 1947, and moved to a small farm in White County, where they lived more than 30 years before moving to Wolcott, Indiana. They raised three sons; Jerry, Ted, and Kenneth Rowe. Ralph and Helen were married for 59 years before her passing on December 26, 2006. During this time, he also worked at Fairfield Mfg. Co as a machinist for 23 years. Afterward, Ralph built, owned, and operated the Wolcott Dairy and Grocery for about 12 years before his retirement. Baptized a Methodist, Ralph attended other churches throughout life (including Badger Grove Baptist), and last attended the Worldwide Church of God. Ralph Rowe loved to help his community. He served 12 years as member, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of White County Civil Defense. He also served 12 years as member and President of Wolcott Industrial Corporation. In addition, Ralph was a member of Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department and he was a charter member of Wolcott Lion's Club. Ralph also was on the Library board and helped to plan the layout for the Wolcott Public Library. Ralph sponsored the Wolcott Fourth of July fireworks for many years. He was always there to lend a hand where needed. He will be remembered for his great stories, his generosity, and his love for life. He enjoyed fishing, farming, history, watching birds (especially hummingbirds), and spending time with loved ones. He leaves three sons and their wives, Jerry and Deborah (Hintzman) Rowe of Marion, Indiana, Ted and Sandy (Loehr) Rowe of Otterbein, Indiana, and Kenneth and Lauren (Pfeil) Rowe of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Ralph is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren: Rachel (Rowe) Swaim (husband, Mike and children Geneva and Delaney) of Lafayette, Indiana; Brian Rowe (wife, Roxana Lopez) of Peoria, Illinois; Carmi (Rowe) Smith (husband, Byron and son Austin) of Otterbein, Indiana; Mandy (Rowe) Farrell (and her children Drake and Brooke) of Wolcott, Indiana; Marcus Rowe of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Travis Rowe (wife, Reanna Cartwright and daughter Ella Paige) of Evansville, Indiana; Nicholas Rowe (wife, Rachel Lancaster) of West Lafayette, Indiana; Trevor Rowe PFC, of Ft Benning, Georgia; and Samuel Rowe of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Two more great-grandchildren are expected very soon. Friends and family may call from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 at Foster-Clapper Funeral Home of Wolcott, Indiana. Services will be held there at 10 a.m., Saturday September 3, 2011 with David Swaim officiating. The burial will take place at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, 1718 West 350 North, WEST LAFAYETTE, IN 47906 in Lafayette, Indiana immediately following the funeral ceremony. He will be laid next to his wife, Helen. Ralph will be greatly missed by his family and friends. In honor of his dedication to community service, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department and/or the Wolcott Public Library, Wolcott, Indiana 47995.