Ralph Enoch Calladine

Ralph Enoch Calladine, 84 of Battle Creek, Michigan died on May 16, 2020 in North Port, Florida.

Ralph Calladine was born on August 7, 1935 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Harold Calladine and Mildred E. (Lacy) Calladine. After graduating from Lakeview High School in 1953, he joined the United States Air Force as an aircraft electronic technician.

In 1955, Ralph married the former Elaine Clinton Smith and together raised their five children. After his service with the Air Force, he worked in sales at Grinnell's music store in Battle Creek. Ralph moved his family to North Little Rock, Arkansas in 1968, where he worked for Griffin-Leggett Funeral Home. His interest in electronics led him to an opportunity with Stephen's Electronics as a business partner in sales and service of home and auto audio systems. In 1975, Ralph created his own retail business, Calladine's Electronics. After divorcing in 1984, Ralph returned to Battle Creek, Michigan and opened a branch of Calladine's Electronics. There he was re-acquainted with high school classmate, Marilyn K. Greer (Daniels) and they married in 1986. Ralph was an active member of the Battle Creek Optimist Club and held various positions in the Lakeview Kiwanis Club. He retired in 1991, but remained very active in Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Ralph's bond with Pastor Dave sparked their missionary flame, providing mission trips to Haiti twice and Red Bird Mission, KY. They became winter residents of North Port, FL in 2002 and joined Gulf Cove UMC in Pt Charlotte, where Ralph became active in the Yard maintenance crew, was President of United Methodist Men and held various other Church positions. He was best known for making the newcomer always feel welcomed and making friends. They continued to find time to travel, dance and enjoy their summers in MI with friends and family.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Harold Calladine and Mildred E. (Lacy) Calladine, his sister, Florence Marie Heim (Francis) and step-son Douglas Daniels. He is survived by a sister Nancy Lee Arnold (Robert) of Athens, MI, his wife Marilyn K. Calladine, five children: Linda Kerr (Danny) North Little Rock, AR, Elizabeth Foster (Chris) of North Little Rock AR, Ralph Calladine, Jr. (Sharon) of Tucson, AZ, Alicia Olin (Mike) of Battle Creek, MI, Amanda Calladine (Asa Gooch) of Beebe, AR; three step-children Tim Daniels (Carol), Gregg Daniels (Dawn), and Candy Daniels (widow of Douglas), all of Battle Creek, MI, Barbara Upshaw (Chuck) of Lansing, MI, and 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Chapel Hill UMC, 157 Chapel Hill Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49015, or Gulf Cove UMC, 1100 S. McCall Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33981.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions a service will be held for Ralph's family on Monday, September 14, 2020, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Military honors and committal will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed at 11:30 a.m. and may be viewed by visiting https://vimeo.com/event/291446 or the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Facebook page.