George E. Ralph

George E. Ralph, 96, of Indian Lake, formerly of Penn Township, passed away peacefully September 11, 2022 at The Heritage, Somerset, PA. Born November 22, 1925 in Westmoreland City, PA, he is the son of the late George and Mary (Dean) Ralph. He was preceded in death by his brother Elmer of Sharon, PA. George married his high school sweetheart, the late Helen (Dzendzel) Ralph, in 1943. He served in the Army Air Corps with advanced training as a Flight Engineer. He used the GI bill to attend Triangle Tech to learn carpentry and became a contractor, building many houses in Jeanette, Latrobe, and Harrison City. Planning on starting a lumber yard, fate jumped in as a passerby asked if he was building a custard stand. This was the beginning of Ralph’s Frosty Drive-In. George and Helen turned it into an icon of the Harrison City area for over 40 years, serving thousands of customers and hiring hundreds of high schoolers, many for their first jobs to work in the kitchen or as Curb Girls. George and Helen were members of the Harrison City United Methodist Church. George was asked to build the large cross that adorned the sanctuary for many years. Upon retiring, George spent countless hours volunteering his skills as a carpenter and gardener to many projects around the Indian Lake area. George was an expert Bridge player and he and Helen organized many local Bridge Clubs. George was always ready to help his children and their spouses on more building and renovation projects than can ever be remembered. He is survived by his children, George R. Ralph (LeeAnn) of Indian Lake and Carlisle, PA, Sandra Vita of New Haven, CT, Becky (Gregg) Fidler of Indian Lake and Shellsburg, PA, grandchildren, Lisa Vita Williams (Chris), Peter Vita, Laura Vita, Nicole Ralph, George D. Ralph, Robert Fidler, Allison Fidler and Sister-in-law Louise Dzendzel of St. Louis, MO and many loving nieces and nephews. He taught us all to love and laugh. Friends will be received from 2 p.m. to time of funeral service at 5 p. m. on Friday, September 16th with Minster Jay Shaffer officiating at the William Snyder Funeral Home, 521 Main Street, Irwin, 724-863-1200. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.

George E. Ralph

November 22, 1925 - September 11, 2022