Obituary of Alexander Ruchala

Alexander Lawrence Ruchala was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 10, 1933. He was one of three children born from the union of the late Alexander P. and the late Cecilia (Slupski) Ruchala. Alexander was a graduate of Chadsy High School. On August 2, 1953 Alexander married the love of his life Virginia Frances Paris and from their union came the birth of three children. Alexander supported his family with employment at Ford Motor Company working as a laborer and then welder for more than thirty years, retiring in 1983 from the Livonia Transmission Assembly plant. Al was a dedicated family man and husband. He had a great sense of humor which he repeatedly used to build relationships and bring others together. He loved the outdoors and gatherings often revolved around boating and water skiing, and many summers were spent at Put-in-Bay. A self-educated plumber/electrician, Al built several homes after retirement, but his true passion was that of his ability to maintain and build family relationships. He was a man of great integrity and fairness. Alexander Lawrence Ruchala, age 79 of Morin Point passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at his home, under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by three siblings: Eugene Ruchala, Leonard Ruchala, and infant Florence Irene Ruchala. To cherish his memory Alexander leaves his loving wife of nearly 60 years: Virginia of Erie; three children: Linda Ruchala and (Ed Long) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Alexander "Al" (Maisie) Ruchala of Put-In-Bay, Ohio, and Sandy (Jim) Keffer of Dundee, nine grandchildren: Dean and Kyle Keffer, A.J. (Meg) Ruchala, Joy (Shawn) O'Leary , Nicole (Jeffrey) Campbell; Celeste Case-Ruchala, Marya Case-Ruchala, Jessica (Jon) Clark, and Rachel Long; and nine great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Friends may gather from 2:00-5:00pm on Monday, April 29, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, 9156 Summit Street in Erie (734) 848-5185. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:30pm on Monday, April 29, 2013 also at Merkle's. A memorial luncheon will follow at the Erie Restaurant for all those in attendance. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the American Cancer Society. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.