Ralph Wiley, Jr.

Ralph Wiley Jr., 95, of Mount Vernon, Ohio passed away peacefully Thursday, March 26, 2026 at home surrounded by his family.

Born, November 2, 1930, in Athens, West Virginia, he was the son of Lockie Jane and Ralph C. Wiley. He served in the army from 1951 to 1953. He spent his career working as a carpenter and telling stories about the treasures he found remodeling old banks.

He lived most of his life in Ohio, but his West Virginia roots ran deep. Ralph had a great love for the country life. He was a horse trader and coon hunter, and spent his later years reducing the groundhog population.

His greatest joy was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His love was reflected in the nicknames he gave them, Pumpkin, Peanut, George and Acorn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 33 years, Alice; second wife, Ruth Ann; sister, Bertie (Freeman) Ayers; brothers, Hubert Wiley and William Wiley; bother-in-law, Don Doyle.

Survivors include sister, Catherine “Polly” Doyle of Athens, WV; brothers, Perry (Sherry) Wiley of Wellington, KS, Arlus Wiley of Reynoldsburg, OH, and Fred (Glenna) Wiley of Ashville, OH; grandson, Daniel (Heather) Wiley of Mt. Vernon, OH; granddaughter, Anitra (Jeremy) Talbott of Fredericktown, OH; great-grandsons, Isaac Wiley of Mt. Vernon, OH, Walker Wiley of Mt. Vernon, OH, and Arden Talbott of Fredericktown, OH.

Services will be held at Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home, 49 West Church Street, Centerburg, Ohio, with visitation on Tuesday, March 31 st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Service will follow at 1:00, officiated by Pastor Stephen Howard of Morrow Bible Church. Interment to follow at the Eastview Cemetery in Centerburg, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Luminary Hospice, 2400 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 110, Columbus, Ohio 43231 as a thank you for the valuable care they gave Ralph.