Ralph S. Lewis, 80, Served under General Patton in WWII

He was born May 1, 1923 in Morgantown, West Virginia where he was raised. He has been a resident of Amherst for the past 54 years.

Mr. Lewis served in the 254th Field Artillery, which was attached to the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne in Europe during World War II. The 254th was part of the First and Third Armies under General Patton and General Bradley. He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge when the 254th supported the 82nd near Bastogne. Later, the 254th became the first Field Artillery of the Allied Armies to cross the Rhine River into Germany. As a jeep driver for Colonel Butz of the 254th, Mr. Lewis visited Malmedy, when American Prisoners of War were massacred by German S.S. Troops. Near the war's end, Mr. Lewis served with American troops who guarded the former German captors then being held at Dachau Concentration Camp. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Ralph worked for Ferroslag Corporation in Lorain for 21 years as a crane operator and then for Dartron Corp. in Cleveland for 12 years, retiring in 1994.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Pauline (nee Loya) Lewis; his sons, Paul S. Lewis of Lorain, Daniel K. Lewis and David James Lewis both of Hudson, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; his brothers, Darus Lewis and Robert Lewis both of Morgantown, West Virginia, his sisters, Ardith McDonald, Audrey Summers and Dana Hall all of Morgantown, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Ronald Sherwin Lewis in 1949 and by his brothers, Edgar Murray, Gerald Lewis and Dale Lewis and by his parents Lloyd F. and Enus (Murray) Lewis.

Friends may call Sunday from 2-4 and 7-8 p.m. at the Hastings Funeral Home in Morgantown, West Virginia. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Carpatho Russian Orthodox Church. Rev. Fr. James Gleason, pastor of St. Mary's Carpatho Russian Orthodox will officiate. Burial will be in Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Westover, West Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve; 424 Middle Ave., Elyria 44035.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.

Questions, please call Hempel Funeral Home at (440) 988-4451.