Ralph Hartranft

Ralph Hartranft, Jr., formerly of Spring Garden, son of the late Ralph Hartranft, Sr., and Ella Eshleman Hartranft, passed away on November 25, 2023 at age 99. He was a resident of Garden Spot Village.

He was the husband of the late Arlene Elsie Skiles Hartranft with whom he shared 74 years of marriage until the time of her passing on May 17, 2022.

He was a member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Gap where he served as an usher and greeter. He had been a Sunday School Superintendent, church treasurer, and board President of Pequea E.C. Church in White Horse.

Ralph was active in Cross Links, Inc., a mission group providing humanitarian aid to Eastern Europe. He traveled to Moldova in 1995 and in 2003 with this group.

He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and White Horse Fire Company.

He was a charter member of Lancaster Friendship Force travel club, member of the former Blue Ball Sunshine Club, charter member of Salisbury Township Historical Society, and a member of V.F.W. Post 7362 New Holland.

Masonic affiliations included membership at Tall Cedars, Lancaster Forest No. 27, and Howell Lodge No. 405 F. & A.M. in Honey Brook, and the Rajah Shrine, Reading.

He was a former member of Lancaster County Lodge of Perfection, the Lancaster County Shrine Club, the Reading Consistory, and a 32nd Degree Mason.

Ralph served in the U.S. Army with the 34th Infantry Division in Italy and received the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign with three Bronze Stars.

He retired from New Holland North America, Inc. (formerly Sperry New Holland) in 1985 where he had been a general machine operator.

He enjoyed making baskets, reading, and spending time at his camp in Mifflin County. He traveled to Eastern Europe, Italy, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Brazil, Iceland, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Belgium, Israel, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and many of the States.

He is survived by granddaughters, Candice and Lisha, and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, David K. Hartranft, and nine siblings.

Kindly omit flowers. Funeral services will be private.

Groff High Funeral Home in New Holland is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.