Ralph Dean Strattan, 59, US Marine Corp Veteran

Born December 1, 1943 in Toledo, he was raised and resided there until moving to the Amherst/Lorain area in 1969.

He served three tours with the US Marine Corp in Vietnam with A Company where he received a Purple Heart; the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Camp Medal with Device; the Marksman Badge for a 7.62 mm and he was a sharpshooter with a .45 caliber pistol. He was employed by the Avon Lake plan of Ford Motor Corp. for 31 years, retiring in 1999 as a truck driver. Since 2001, he has been working as a supervisor for the Lorain County Transit. Ralph was an active member of the Sheffield Church of God ministering as an usher and working with the bus ministry. He was a member of the Blue Night Motorcycle Club and a former Auxiliary Sheriff for Lorain County.

Survivors include his wife of eleven and one-half years, Donna Kay Breeding-Strattan (nee Breeding); his daughter Deana Curry of Lindsey, Ohio and Dova Zack of Oregon, Ohio; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul A. and Pauline Marie Strattan (nee Nye); by his brother Arthur Paul Strattan in December, 1996; and by his half brother Willie Ellis.

Friends may call Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hemple Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. from the Sheffield Church of God; 2280 Abbe Rd, Sheffield Lake with the Rev. Michael LeBuhn, pastor, officiating. The Amherst Military Honor Guard will perform honors.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Sheffield Church of God Bus Ministry; 2280 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Lake 44054.