DONALD EDWIN RAMM

SANDUSKY - Donald Edwin Ramm, 81, a retired Columbia Gas executive who was a decorated Army veteran of World War II and a former longtime member of the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross, died Friday at the Firelands Regional Medical Center of apparent heart failure.

Mr. Ramm retired in 1984 as personnel manager for Columbia Gas at its Green Springs, Ohio, facility.

At Columbia Gas, he earlier was the manager of corporate safety and security at the company's former corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Del., from 1976 until 1982.

Before working for Columbia Gas, Mr. Ramm worked for 10 years for the former DuPont plant in Huron, Ohio.

Mr. Ramm also attended the University of Kentucky, the University of Southern California, George Washington University, and Princeton University.

He also served for 14 years on the board of directors of the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross. In 1971, he was inducted into the Red Cross Hall of Fame.

"He was very hardworking and a very good father. He was highly respected and loved," his wife, Jeanne Ramm, said.

A native of Sandusky, Mr. Ramm graduated in 1943 from Sandusky High School.

The same year, he enlisted in the Army.

During World War II, Mr. Ramm served with Army Intelligence in Europe, attached to the 106th Infantry Division.

Mr. Ramm took part in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded and taken prisoner in December, 1944. He was a prisoner of war until he was liberated by Russian troops near the war's end.

He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts. His other decorations included a Bronze Star medal, Army Commendation Medal, good conduct medal, and a European Theater medal with four battle stars.

In retirement, Mr. Ramm and his wife published a religious and patriotic newsletter titled With Liberty in Mind, which they distributed at some area churches and Christian book stores.

Mr. Ramm attended the Church of the Nazarene, Sandusky.

His memberships included Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Rifle Association, and the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Jeanne; sons, James and John; daughters, Peggy Bertsch and Patricia Natalino; six grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Groff Funeral Home, Sandusky, where the body will be after 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Burial with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m., Jan. 3, 2007.

The family suggests tributes to the Ashbook Center, Ashland (Ohio) University, or the Church Building Fund at Sandusky Community Church of the Nazarene. Toledo Blade - Toledo,OH,USA