Ralph N.  "Pud" Roughton

OAKWOOD – Ralph N. "Pud" Roughton, 87, of Oakwood, passed away peacefully at 11:07 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2023 at The Gardens of Paulding to join his parents and siblings in heaven.

Pud was born on June 10, 1936 in Grover Hill, Ohio to the late Harlan "Chub" and Ocie (Saylor) Roughton. Pud grew up south of Melrose where he went to school through Jr. High, then on to Oakwood High School, until graduating in 1954.  After graduating, Pud joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1959 – 1962 at Fort Knox, KY.  Upon leaving the Army, he worked at the Oakwood Oil Company until getting hired at Oakwood High School as a custodian/maintenance man and bus driver.  He drove daily bus routes and also the team bus to Oakwood Bobcat High School basketball games. He still had, until his last days, people who remembered him from the time he spent at Oakwood School.

Pud was an avid harness horseman, owning and training many pacers throughout his life, with brothers, Dale, Rollin, Randy, his mom, Ocie, Bob Diehl, Sr., Phil "Fitzi"  Fitzwater and Bill Webb.

He was a big fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Reds and was always ready to talk football, baseball and basketball. He loved line dancing and traveling to dances all over the Tri-State areas. Pud cherished his time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, never thinking twice about driving to their ball games and events, showing up and taking them places, or just hanging out and decorating his Christmas tree.

He will be sadly missed by his two sons: Keith (Vicky) Roughton of Defiance and Kirk (Teresa) Roughton of Oakwood; former wife, Sharon Sierer; five grandchildren: Jessica Roughton (Bryan Harr), Brandy Roughton, Jenna Roughton-Vail (Angela), Megan Roughton Walters and Jacob Roughton (Sheira Ramirez); eight great-grandchildren; and a special family friend, Elizabeth (Kerry) Shindeldecker of Van Wert.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harlan "Chub" Roughton, mother, Ocie (Saylor) Roughton Shaffer; four brothers: Dale, Rex, Rollin and Randy; and two sisters: Ruth Roughton Brown and Rita Roughton Groh.

Funeral service will begin 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2023 at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood.  Burial will follow in Little Auglaize Cemetery, Oakwood with military rites by Paulding VFW Post #587 and Oakwood American Legion.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com.

Charity of the donor's choice