DE FOREEST, John Ralph

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Monday, August 18, 2008 >Oct. 14, 1913 - August 8, 2008< John Ralph De Foreest, 94, passed away Friday in Lake Havasu City. He was born in Plainfield, N.J., to John and Ruth (Curran) De Foreest. Ralph moved his family to California in 1954. Leaving the railroad behind in New Jersey, he worked in a factory assembly plant, but finished his work years with the post office, retiring in 1978. He moved to Mesa in 1980, and then came to Lake Havasu City in 2003. He was widowed twice, first in 1952, and again in 2002. Ralph was a gentle, kind, and yet strong individual. He was a devoted Jehovah's Witness and active in the ministry until this year. Many who knew him called him a 'gentlemen' of the old school, as he was always smiling and courteously opening doors for others even when his age made it a bit hard. His amiable and happy nature will be very much missed. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Julie De Foreest, of Lake Havasu City; granddaughter, Liana Baily; and great granddaughter, Amber Baily, both of Naples, Florida. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3200 S. Jamaica Blvd. Condolences and thoughts can be made to his family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.