Ralph E. Waite

retired funeral director and owner, Waite & Son Funeral Homes, ­Medina, Ohio, died February 18, 2020, at age 93. Waite served in World War II in the European theater. He attended Cleveland School of Mortuary Science and then joined both his father and grandfather in the family business. Waite served the Medina area as a funeral director for more than 50 years, taking over the family business from his father. He also served as president of the Tri County Funeral Directors Association.

Waite was a scoutmaster for 30 years and received the Silver Beaver Award. He served on the Medina School Board and was one of the very first in the community to receive the Jaycees Young Man of the Year Award. His crowning honor in the community was the naming of Ralph E. Waite Elementary School in 2009.

Waite was president and a 52-year ­member of Medina Rotary Club, president of Medina City School Board of Education, inducted into the Medina City School Hall of Fame and headed city government for more than 12 years. He is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Medina AMVets, proudly served as Honor Guard at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and was appointed to the Medina County Veterans Service Commission.

He is survived by twin sons Harold and Darrell, six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.