Ralph D. Calvert Sr.

Ralph Dean Calvert, Sr, 75, returned to his heavenly home on January 24, 2020 after a valiant battle with heart disease for over 30 years. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle with these physical challenges. He passed away at peace with the Lord and those around him.

Ralph was born to the late Ovell and Lillie (Key) Calvert on April 2, 1944, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his brother, Austin Leon Calvert. Ralph was provided a lifelong Christian heritage by his parents and he lovingly passed that along quite well to his children. He was known as a kind, generous, intelligent man who inspired people with his faith and hope in God. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, quartet man, and friend. He was serious about his work for the Lord through music all his life still singing in his last days. But, he was also known for his sense of humor and amiable personality having never met a stranger and even serving the Lord talking about Him to riders as an Uber driver after he retired. He was in Electrical Contracting for over 50 years until his retirement. Ralph loved singing and playing the piano, mostly in quartets, that spanned 65 years. Ralph was blessed with a loving family. He married his best friend Mary Marlene (Harmon) Calvert, on Nov 30th 1963 in Indianapolis, IN having met her at her father’s church while he was there singing gospel music with his family. Ralph enjoyed taking family vacations to Hawaii, Florida, Hilton Head, California, and Mexico – anywhere with a beach.

Ralph had integrity, he was admirable, and tender hearted to say the least. He was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how big or small. He is dearly missed by his family, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Marlene (Harmon) Calvert; his sons, Ralph Dean, Jr (wife Claudia) Calvert, Chad Gordon (wife Debbie) Calvert; sisters, Norma Jean (husband Richard) Reed, Phyllis Jones, Delilah (husband Phil) Paulsen, Marilyn (husband Chuck) Howie, Janice (husband Vic) Welty; grandchildren, Virginia Marie Navarro, Sara Jane Davis, Clayton Mark Calvert, Karina Dominique Lees, Faith Kaylynn Davis, Delaney Marie Calvert, Rebekah Ann Davis, Elizabeth Faye Davis, Lillian Mary Calvert, Ralph Dean Calvert III; great grandchildren, Isa Posoz.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 4:00 p.m-8:00 p.m. at Restoring Hope Community Church 4650 West 62nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46268. A funeral service will follow on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the church, with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will be held at Bunnell Cemetery in Frankfort, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Gospel Music Festival (IGMF) POB 26763 Indianapolis, IN 46226 and Restoring Hope Community Church. Please share an online memory or condolence of Ralph at www.flannerbuchanan.com