Ralph H. Alcorn

Ralph H. Alcorn, age 93 of Lancaster, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 19, 2022. He was born November 25, 1928, the son of Harvey and Mattie (Swab) Alcorn. Ralph graduated from Lancaster High School in 1947. He was drafted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully during the Korean War. Ralph was united in marriage to Lois M. Hoffman on January 6, 1951. In 1952 Ralph and Lois purchased the Tastee Freez franchise, which later became the Pink Pony, a landmark restaurant in Lancaster for over 30 years. Ralph was really a farmer at heart, eventually purchasing the Hoffman Family Farm, where his wife Lois was raised. With his hard work ethic, it would become one of the largest farms in Grant County, that he owned and operated with his son Don and later grandson Zachary. Ralph co-owned the Pure Oil gas station in Lancaster, with his brother-in-law, Vonny Hall. He had a custom combining business in the 1960's that had three combines, to help farmers during harvest season. Ralph was also employed at John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works in Dubuque, Iowa. While working as many as 3 jobs in one day, he still found time to travel the world with his wife, Lois. He also found time to get his pilots license and owned and operated several aircraft. Ralph was able to travel with the Honor Flight and was a member of the William Pollock VFW Post # 2344 and the Richard Burns American Legion Post #109. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving are his children, Don (Mary) Alcorn, Randall (Ann) Alcorn, Ted Alcorn, Angie (Shawn) O'Leary, and Lisa (Steve) Landau; 9 grandchildren; Zachary (Josie) Alcorn, Elizabeth Alcorn, Bradley (Michelle) Alcorn, Danny, Caitlin and Michael O’Leary, Abigail (Samuel) McDowell, Hannah, and Samuel Landau, his first great grandchild Oliver Alcorn and sister Carol Carter. He is also remembered by many extended family members including in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his loving wife Lois, Ralph was preceded in death by his grandson Benjamin Alcorn; his siblings Eva Bender, Robert Alcorn, and Harold (Ruth) Alcorn; and a brother-in-law, Bob Carter.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster, with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Ralph H. Alcorn memorial fund has been established.