Ralph B. Kell, Jr.

Ralph Baer Kell, Jr., 79, of McConnellsburg, PA passed away Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at Western Maryland Hospital Center, Hagerstown, MD. Ralph was born in Chambersburg, PA on September 14, 1931, the son of the late Ralph B. and Cevera Etta (Miller) Kell.  He was the husband of Mary C. (Strait) Kell whom he married on October 16, 1957. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served at the naval security station in Washington, D.C., the 7th fleet flag aboard th USS Missouri BB63 and the USS New Jersey BB62 from November 13, 1951 to July 23, 1953. He was a 1949 graduate of the Chambersburg High School and had attended Shippensburg State College for one and a half years.  After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he entered the Pennsylvania State Police on January 4, 1954, attaining the rank of Sergeant.  His whole career was spent in Troop G which consisted of Hollidaysburg, Bedford and McConnellsburg.  Mr. Kell retired on February 6, 1985. Ralph was a member of the McConnellsburg United Methodist Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge No 774 F&AM where he was a past master, the Jaffa Shrine of Altoona, PA, the Harrisburg Consistory, a lifetime member of the American Legion Post# 612 of St. Thomas, PA and a lifetime member of the VFW Post# 1599 of Chambersburg, PA. In addition to his wife, he is survived by God son Keith Barclay of Yardley, PA.  He was preceded in death by sisters Alice Bard, Janet Nye and Bettie Clarke. A memorial service will be held on December 4, 2010 at the McConnellsburg United Methodist Church, starting promptly at 2:45 PM. There will be visitation from 2:00 PM till the start of the service at the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ralph Kell to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o John Culler, 255 Horton Drive, McConnellsburg, PA  17233 or, alternatively, donations can be  made online at the following web address http://support.shrinershospitals.org/site/TR/Events/General?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=2531 Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home, Inc., McConnellsburg, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com.