Ralph J. Wolfe

Ralph J. Wolfe Oct. 24, 1929 - May 21, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Ralph J Wolfe, 84, of South Bend, Ind., husband of Nancy Lee Wolfe, passed away peacefully early on May 21, 2014. Ralph was born on October 24, 1929, in South Bend, to the late Omer J and Ethel Marie (Phillips) Wolfe.

Ralph graduated from Riley High School in 1947 and entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1951, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Ralph married Nancy Lee Baney on August 5, 1951, and he continued to call her his "bride" for 62 years.

Ralph became a member of the South Bend Police Department in 1955 and retired in 1975 after attaining the rank of Captain. While a member of the South Bend Police Department, Ralph represented the City of South Bend at Mayor Lloyd Allen's request at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Ga. He also implemented the Crime Alert program, the predecessor of Crime Stoppers, and served as the Community Relations representative for the department where he played an instrumental role in improving race relations in South Bend during the 1960s.

Ralph was the "Cop" in the "Cop and the Con" program, which was administered in churches and schools throughout the United States. After retiring from the police force, Ralph started his own business, Rawhide Leather, and worked in sales at O'Hara Lincoln Mercury, before pursuing his political career. He was active in the Republican Party, and in 1982, he ran for St. Joseph County Sheriff, winning the Republican Primary. The following year, he was elected the Centre Township Trustee. Following several terms as Trustee, he was elected Centre Township Assessor. Ralph served four terms as Centre Township Assessor before being appointed to the St. Joseph County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals and the St. Joseph County Alcohol Beverage Board, where he continued to serve until his passing. Ralph was also a member of the FOP Lodge #36, the Italian-American Heritage Society of Notre Dame/Michiana, and various South Bend Police Department boards. He was also an active member of Southlawn United Methodist Church.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Omer J and Ethel Marie; his brother, Richard; and his sister, Joan Stanifer.

A brother, Danny, survives. Ralph is also survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Lee, and daughters, Vicki (Jim) Cocquyt, Suzanne (Ross) Trimboli and Angela (Joe) Gambill. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jana Moreland, Bowen J Moreland (Alison Huyck), Troy Fye (Ashley Allriedge), Mia Trimboli, Shane (Caitlin) Fye and Christina Fye (Brandon Miller). He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Lilly, Brock and Maxwell, and one step-great-grandchild, Mya.

Per Ralph's request, there will be no visitation or services, cremation has taken place. Memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's name to Heartland Small Animal Rescue, PO Box 6033, South Bend, IN 46660, in memory of his beloved pets, or to the donor's choice. "It is well with my soul." Condolences may be expressed online through our website: www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com. The HANLEY & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home and Cremation Services handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Wolfe family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on May 23, 2014.

08/25/2023 EJS

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