SOURCE: Marietta Times . . . Marietta, OH . . . 18 Feb 03 . . . **COURTESY POST ONLY **

WATERFORD - Ralph E. Raney, 81, of Waterford died at 2:45 p.m. Friday (Feb. 14, 2003) at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring, Fla., Highland County.

He was born April 3, 1921, in Penn Township, Morgan County, to Ed H. and Marie Dawson Raney. He retired from Ohio Power Co., Muskingum River Plant, after 30 years of service. He farmed in Morgan County for several years. He graduated from Pennsville High School in 1941.
He served during World War II in England in the Army Air Corps. He was with the 353rd Fighter Group and was crew chief on P51s and P47s.

He was a Boy Scout master and organized Boy Scout Troop 222 at Waterford. He was involved in 4-H clubs and loved animals, especially dogs and cats.

He is survived by his wife, Donna J. Andrews Raney, whom he married on April 2, 1946; two sons, James L. Raney of Annandale, Va., and Jerry D. Raney and his wife, Joanne, of Concord, N.C.; one daughter, Beverly J. Smearman and her husband, Bradley, of Columbus; four grandchildren, Jessica Raney, Sarah Raney, Ray Raney and Amber Haggerty and her husband, Josh; one great-grandson, Braden Haggerty; one sister, Jean Little of McConnelsville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at McCurdy Funeral Home in Beverly with the Rev. Carl Orphanides officiating. Burial is in Waterford Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 222. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.