OFDA received word Cleo J. Ralstin, of Hill View Retirement Center, Portsmouth, Ohio, and formerly of Otway, Ohio died Sunday, August 28, 2011. She was born March 16, 1924 in Otway, Ohio, a daughter of the late Orn and Icie Pierce Newman.
Following retirement from teaching, she continued independent studies while serving a two year apprenticeship, passing the state board examination, and was granted an Ohio Funeral Director's License. She was actively involved in the operation of the Botkin Funeral Home in Otway until her move to Hill View.
On November 14, 1945 she was united in marriage to Denver F. Ralstin who preceded her in death November 24, 1984. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Jane (Gary) Snider of Aiken, South Carolina and Susan Kathleen Ralstin of McDermott, Ohio, one granddaughter, Susannah Snider of San Francisco, California, and one brother, Carl E. Newman of Middletown, Ohio. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Percy Newman, and Donald Keith Newman, one sister, Bonnie J. Farver, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cleo was a graduate of Otway High School and Ohio University. Shortly after graduating from high school she was employed by the Selective Service System and was there until her marriage to Denver Ralstin. After the birth of her two daughters, she served as an active member of the Otway PTO and served as president of that group on several occasions. She was elected to the Brush Creek Township Board of Education in the early 1950's and served on that board until the consolidation of five townships into the Northwest Local Board of Education. She served as clerk in the Otway Post Office, and started teaching in the elementary grades in the Northwest District in 1960. She served as president of the Northwest Local Education Association on several occasions during her teaching career, and retired from teaching in 1986. During her teaching career she served on the Science Education Advisory Committee at the state level. She was active in the organization of the Northwest Local Water District and served as a member of that board, and was appointed to and served on the Advisory Council of the Department of Human Services for several years. She was a member of the Ohio Education Association, division of actively retired teachers, the Ohio Retired Teachers Assoc., and the Scioto County Retired Teachers Assoc., and the Ohio Funeral Director's Assoc.
Burial in Otway Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
The Botkin Funeral Home, 6500 St. Rt. 348, Otway, Ohio 45657 handled the arrangements.