JOHN "RALPH" BALLANTINE

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JOHN "RALPH" BALLANTINE March 11, 1910 - May 4, 2004 With deep sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of Ralph, at the age of 94 on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at Rock Lake Hospital in Crystal City. Ralph was born on the family farm in Marringhurst district and attended school at Marringhurst and Zephyr. Ralph married Jean Simpson on October 22, 1947. They farmed north of Marringhurst and had four children, Murray Ralph, Vicki Jean, Grant Robert and Ross George. In addition to mixed farming, Ralph drove the school bus to Glenora School. The family was very involved in community activities. Ralph was 4-H garden club leader and served on the local committees of Manitoba Pool Elevators and Louise Credit Union. He especially took great pride in establishing, keeping and improving the grounds at Marringhurst Pioneer Park. Ralph was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter. His whole life he took great enjoyment visiting with family and friends near and far. Ralph was predeceased by his wife Jean (1971) siblings, Belle, Margaret, Robert, Jessie, Olive, Ruth, Walter, Lena and brother-in-law George Simpson. On July 7, 1973, Ralph married Alice Robinson (Ferris). They lived on the farm until moving to the Mound Estates fourplex in Pilot Mound in 1992. Upon retirement Ralph discovered the joy and frustration of golf. For many years, Ralph and his golf buddy Mert were the first on the course almost every day of the summer. Ralph continued to golf until into his nineties and up to last fall loved going to the clubhouse for breakfast. Ralph and Alice spent 20 wonderful winters in Mesa, AZ enjoying warmer weather, golfing, dancing, shuffleboard and developing friendships across Canada and the USA. During recent years, his highlights were card games at the Fellowship Centre and Lodge, Thursday dinner with complex neighbours and especially the Friday dinners at Glenora. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Alice; son Murray (Clara) grandsons, Ian and Jamie of Ottawa; daughter Vicki of Guelph; son Grant of La Broquerie and son Ross (Cathy) of Vita and their family of David, Lindsay and Abby Fehr of Winnipeg and Chris and Angie Fehr of Winnipeg and stepson Bill (Maureen) Robinson and granddaughter Tracey of Mission, BC. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 4:00 p.m. at Pilot Mound United Church. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery at Pilot Mound. A dinner will follow at Glenora Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralphs memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation, CancerCare or Marringhurst Pioneer Park. In care of arrangements, Graham Funeral Service, Pilot Mound 825-2848

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2004