Ralph L. Bohlander

Ralph L. Bohlander, a beloved lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Elwood Health and Living. Born on March 28, 1929, in Elwood to Clifford William and Christina L. (Bauer) Bohlander, Ralph lived a long and well-lived life devoted to family, faith, country, and community. Prior to graduating from Wendell L. Willkie High School in 1947, he attended College Corner School on State Road 13. Proud to serve his country, Ralph was a United States Army veteran, serving from 1953 to 1955. Upon returning home, he married his cherished wife, Gertie Mae Fields, on February 12, 1956, sharing over 53 wonderful years together until her passing in 2009. Ralph was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church and remained deeply involved in his community throughout his life. He dedicated himself to running his family farm and raising registered Guernsey Cattle, retired from Continental Can. Ralph was active in the Madison County 4-H, the Madison County Farm Bureau Co-op, and belonged to the Quincy Masonic Lodge 230, Elwood V.F.W., American Legion, and Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. Above all, Ralph was a hardworking man whose greatest pride was in his family, his faith, and tending the land he loved.

Ralph is survived by 4 children, Gregory (Pamela) Bohlander of Elwood, Annalisa (Donald) Johnson of Littleton, CO, Gary (Ronna) Bohlander of Darlington, IN, and Thomas (Christa) Bohlander of Fairmount; 10 grandchildren, Cory (Janelle) Bohlander, Kaitlin (Matt) Tyner, Laura (Chad) James, Aaron (Rachel) Johnson, Christina (Jake) Smith, Megan (Chad) Keller, Jacob (Morgan) Bohlander, Molly Bohlander, Clayton Bohlander, and Chloe (Will) Lipspoon; 3 sisters-in-law, Marge Bohlander of Elwood, Nancy Holmes of South Carolina, and Rebecca Fields of Summitville; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gertie Mae Bohlander; 4 siblings, Margaret and Ralph Pratt, Pauline and Rex Stites, Raymond and Carolyn Bohlander, and Donald Bohlander; and an infant sibling.

A funeral celebrating Ralph’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Elwood with Pastor Kal Rissman officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W honor guards. Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Elwood. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church through the funeral home. Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood is honored to handle Ralph’s funeral arrangements. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the Bohlander family at copherfeslermay.com.