Ralph married Judith Vincent on June 23, 1956, in Detroit. Together they moved to Kalkaska in 1983, after Ralph retired from the Ford Wixom Plant after working for 30 years. After Judy died Ralph married Barbara J. Elkins. Ralph like to sing, make his own guitars, work with wood and was a devoted family man. He loved to barbeque and sit on the deck with his family and friends.

Surviving Ralph is his wife, Barbara; his sons, Kenneth (Penny) Crider of Livonia, Steven (Peggy) Crider of Mancelona, David (Bobbi) Crider of Napa Valley, Calif.; his step-sons, William (Terah) Elkins of Charleston, Tenn., James (Beth) Elkins of Grass Lake and Joseph Elkins of Jacksonville, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his siblings, Ray (Lefty) Crider of Taylor, Claude (Ginger) Crider of Garden City, Marilyn Stewart of Ages, Ky., Betty Seals and Lee Bennett of Harlon, Ky.; and his beloved poodle, Joy Michelle.

Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy; his siblings, Anne Howard, Walter Crider, Carrie Risner, Maxine Blevins, Odie Sailor and Hazel Davis.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at the Evergreen Bible Baptist Church. Pastor Bill Kuiper officiated.

Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home.