Ralph M. Grossarth

Ralph M. Grossarth Jr., 86, of South Abington Twp., died Tuesday morning at Commonwealth Hospice of Northeast PA in Scranton. His wife is the former Ruth Mary Nyhart. The couple had been married for 32 years.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Ralph M. and Edith Fjellman Grossarth, he was a proud Army veteran, serving in Germany, and was a member of Abington Memorial VFW Post No. 7069. Before his retirement, he was a construction superintendent for Bloomingdale Properties of New York City, building many apartment complexes in New England, Northeast Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia. He was a member of the Clarks Green United Methodist Church. He loved music, was accomplished in playing the organ and as a young adult played in the Floyd Bennett Post 1060 American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Also surviving are a daughter, Linda Ziess, Sommerville, S.C.; two stepsons, Kurt O. Lewis and his wife, Lorelei, Newmanstown; and Karl P. Lewis, South Abington Twp.; two grandchildren, Christopher Ziess,Nicholson; and Matthew Ziess and his wife, Kristen, Sommerville, S.C.; three step-grandchildren, Savannah, Lacey and Garrett Lewis, all of Newmanstown; two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Scarlett Ziess; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Clarks Green United Methodist Church, 119 Glenburn Road, Clarks Green, with services by the Rev. Brent Stouffer, pastor. Interment with military honors will follow at Shady Lane Cemetery, South Abington Twp.

Friends may call on Saturday from 12:30 until time of service at the church. VFW services will be conducted by Abington Memorial VFW Post 7069 at 1:15.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Clarks Green United Methodist Church or Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411.