NAPPANEE - Ralph E. Jerles, 85, formerly of Nappanee, died at 9 p.m. May 22, 2007, in Miller's Merry Manor, Wakarusa, where he resided.
He was born Dec. 4, 1921, in Nappanee, to Ralph O. and Delphie Callander Jerles.
He studied the organ at the Longy School of Music, Cambridge, Mass., under E. Power Briggs and George Faxon from 1946-48. He took master classes at the Organ Institute in Methuen, Mass., in 1948. He did a private summer study in Cambridge in 1949 under Dr. Fritz Heitmann. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., from 1949-51, and was the graduate licentiate in 1951 from the Trinity College of Music, London, England. He was a part of the European Organ tours to research organs in Europe in 1955 and 1960. He was an organist at several churches, starting with the First Presbyterian Church, Nappanee, from 1939-1942. He played at the United Methodist Church, Nappanee, from 1975-2002. He was affiliated with the Nappanee United Methodist Church, American Guild of Organists, and First Church of Christ Scientist, Boston. He was a WWII Army veteran, serving at the Battle of the Bulge.
Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Jim (Johanna) Reed, Nappanee. He was preceded in death by a sister.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. June 4 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, with the Rev. David Harrold officiating, assisted by the Rev. Janet McFall-Brown.
Calling is at the funeral home one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
