Joseph Ralph Sharpnack, 91, Dealer/Owner and Past President of Sharpnack Chevrolet Co.

He was born December 14, 1914 in Breman, Ohio, and had lived in Vermilion since 1949. He had lived in New Castle, PA, Youngstown, Mt. Gilead, Columbia Station and Olmsted Falls. He spent winters at River Bend Country Club in Tequesta, FL for 14 years.

He was dealer/owner and past president of Sharpnack Chevrolet Co. from 1949 - 1999. He received his 50 year dealer plaque from General Motors. He had worked for GMAC from 1937 - 1949 and worked during the war at the Bomber Plant in Cleveland.

He graduated from Ohio University in 1936. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Vermilion Lion's Club. He was a member of the Ohio Auto Dealer's Assocation where he served as a trustee and was responsible for convention sites and the National Auto Dealer's Association . He was a member of Plum Brook Country Club, and Past Commodore in 1958 of the Vermilion Boat Club where he was instrumental in the purchase of the club house. He was a past member of the Vermilion Planning Commission. He had served on the Board of Directors of Society Bank of the Firelands for many years. He had been an avid golfer and boater.

Survivors include his sons, Joseph Ralph Sharpnack, Jr. of Vermilion, and Thomas Christopher Sharpnack of Willard; 4 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Elizabeth Rice Sharpnack, July 18, 2005; son Frederick Carl Sharpnack, August 4, 1993; parents, Frederick Carl and Nannie K. (nee Herdman) Sharpnack, sisters, Bessie Welty and Anne Weiss.

Friends may call Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 from 6 until the time of a service at 7 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion.

Private interment will be in Brownhelm Cemetery, Vermilion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermilion Family YMCA, 320 Aldrich Road, Vermilion, Ohio 44089; or St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089.

Online condolences maybe made to www.riddlefuneralhome.com