Ralph William Pruitt

October 16, 1921 - December 26, 2020

Ralph William Pruitt passed from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior at his home on Saturday, December 26, 2020. He joined his wife of 69 years, Betty Kathleen Weekly Pruitt, who died in 2015. His children were with Ralph, in the house that Ralph and Betty built, at his passing. Ralph was born in Brown County, on October 16, 1921, to Allen Pruitt and Ethel Gates Pruitt. Brothers, Clayton and Merrill preceded him in death. After graduating from Edinburgh High School, Ralph began a 42-year commitment with Cummins Engine Company. His service in the Army Air Force during the WWII European War counted toward those years. Following his discharge from the military in 1945, Ralph married his waiting sweetheart, Betty, on January 18, 1946. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,” Ralph did that in 1940. And he would consider himself a most blessed man, with a loving wife, children, friends, and a church family in the Bethel Wesleyan Church. Ralph was a faithful worker in the building of the church and held it close to his heart. Ralph often quoted to his children from Proverbs, “ A man who has friends must himself be friendly”. And that he was. Ralph’s and Betty’s dinner table was a welcoming place to friends old and new. He loved talking to people, once complaining in later life that he wasn’t meeting new people. Ralph is survived by son, Terrill (Paula) Pruitt of Peru; daughters, Sheryl (Richard) Chatham of Columbus, and Janice (Harody) of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Four beloved grandchildren are Gerald and Bryan Pruitt of Peru, Zachary Chatham of Columbus, Joanna (Lemuel) Young and great granddaughter, Lennon Young of Katy, Texas. Also surviving are his and Betty’s dear forever friends, Joel and Anna Garcia. We thank all who wrote, called, visited, and cared for Ralph as his health failed in recent years. It is all appreciated. Visitation is Monday, January 4th, 4-7pm at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 5th, 12 noon at Bethel Wesleyan Church, with calling an hour before. Pastor Gordon Tilley will be officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, Edinburgh. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Wesleyan Church of Columbus.