Ralph W. Dickey

Ralph W. Dickey, 87, of Fawn Township passed away peacefully Sunday in his home of his daughter, Janie Gale (Dickey) Hill and son-in-law, Eugene R. Hill of Willowick, Ohio, after bravely fighting a 10-month battle with cancer.

He was born Jan. 17, 1928, in Butler to Hazel (Carter) Dickey and John S. Dickey. After the family moved in 1938 to Brackenridge, Pa., Ralph remained an AlleKiski resident for the rest of his life.

He attended HarBrack High School, then enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in the Philippines.

Upon returning home from the war, he took a job with PPG Paints in Springdale, where he remained until retiring in 1986.

He married Betty Jane Cornelius on May 12, 1949, then moved to Fawn Township, where they have lived for 63 years.

A former member of the Center United Methodist Church, Fawn Township, he was a lifetime member of the Natrona Heights VFW Post 894.

His interests included being a country music fan, having traveled to see both Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson multiple times. He was also a huge, lifelong automobile enthusiast, who in his younger years, loved driving race cars and even would travel out-of-state to participate in amateur drag racing. In recent years, he's loved working around his house and yard and regularly spending time with his friends at the Natrona Heights McDonalds.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen M., Mary Louise (Clyde) Hughes and Helen Marie (Clarence) Cypher; his brother John Dawson Dickey; and brothers-in-law, Clyde Hughes, Clarence Cypher and Charles George.

In addition to his wife, daughter and son-in-law, he is survived by his brother, Roy M. (Deanna) Dickey, sister, Ellen M. George, multiple nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends.

DICKEY — The family of Ralph W. Dickey, who died Sunday, July 12, 2015, wishes to thank Dr. Michael Nemunaitis and the entire oncology department staff of the Hirsch Cancer Center at Hillcrest Hospital, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and the entire staff of the Crossroads Hospice of Cleveland for their loving care.In respect to Ralph's wishes, there will be no viewing and no funeral services.The family instead plans a memorial service at a time and location to be determined later.The Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Natrona Heights, is helping the family with arrangements.To post online condolences, please go to www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.