Ralph B. Wiwi

RICHMOND, Ind. - Ralph Benjamin Wiwi, age 90, of Richmond, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. He was born July 29, 1917, in Fayette County, Ind., to Leo and Regina Hilbert Wiwi. Ralph graduated from Whitewater High School and Indiana Business College. He was Captain of the Army 70th Division in the European Theatre during World War II. Ralph was owner and president of Wiwi Builders, Inc., for 43 years and member and past president of the Wayne County Builders Association. Ralph was a member of both Indiana State Builders and National Builders Association. He was a recipient of the State John E. Hart Award and many other awards. Ralph was also a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Resource Inventory Council, Elks Lodge, and American Legion Post 65. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline Miller Wiwi, to whom he was married May 6, 1995; daughters, Ann Guthrie and husband David of Sunnyvale, Calif., Denise Meador and husband Joe of Cloverdale, Ind., and Pamela Kirk and husband Randy of Richmond; son, David Wiwi of Suwanee, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Benjamin, David, Alexander and William Guthrie, David Wiwi, Jennifer Pipenger, Katie, Kendall, and Rylen Kirk; two great-grandchildren; three stepdaughters, Patricia Benson, Kathleen O'Toole, and Marintha Garfield; three stepsons; Rodney Miller, Timothy Miller, and Joseph Miller; nine stepgrandchildren; several stepgreat-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Heyob; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Charlotte Rolfes Wiwi; grandson, Brady Kirk; brothers, Leroy, Paul and Norbert Wiwi; sister, Hilda. Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph Benjamin Wiwi will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at St. Andrew Catholic Church preceded by a short prayer service at 9:30 a.m. at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond, with Father Todd Riebe officiating. Burial will be St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Andrew Catholic Church, 240 South 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374, or Reid Hospital Foundation, 1401 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Ralph B. Wiwi

July 29, 1917 - January 21, 2008