John Nesbit Ralston, Jr., 89, of Indiana passed away with his family near on July 3, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Village.
John was born on November 18, 1935, in Wilkinsburg, PA. He graduated from Carnegie Tech University (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh in 1958 with a degree in civil engineering. He worked for Penn DOT, District 10, as a bridge engineer. He retired at age 56 in 1991 after 33 1/2 years with Penn DOT.
John was a life-long follower of Jesus Christ, and lived out his faith by extending kindness, hospitality, and help to anyone who came across his path. John was a member of Grace Church in Indiana. He enjoyed travel, reading, puzzles, and checking the obituaries daily for his name. He valued time with his family, often visiting for weeks to help out with grandchildren and to get to know the neighbors. John played a strong game of Hearts, and made sure everyone in his family played along. He loved his extended family, delighting in yearly “Corn Picnics” and other gatherings. He was a long-time member of the YMCA where he swam a mile per day and also donated blood on a regular basis racking up multiple gallon donor pins.
He met often with friends at “coffee club” to discuss current events. He was a lifetime member of the Elks, Lodge #931 and often checked in with the “3 o’clock crowd.” John was a people person and lived by the principle that “there are no strangers, just friends who I haven’t met yet”.
John is survived by his children, Cindy (Pete) Duenas of Modesto, CA; Megan (Jerry) Millimaki of Cypress, TX; John (Karen) Ralston of Roaming Shores, OH; and Brian (Kathy) Ralston of Vandergrift, PA; grandchildren Peter Duenas (Lara); Carly (Mike) McMahon; Rachel Millimaki; Mitchell Millimaki; Kara Ralston and John Joseph Ralston; great grandchildren Michael and Charlotte McMahon; brothers Robert Ralston and David (Sherri) Ralston; and sister-in-law Anna Mae Parana, along with many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents John N. Ralston, Sr. and Jane Haymaker Ralston; wife Beverly Johnson Ralston (in 1968); wife Madeline Zasadny Ralston (in 2015); sisters Jane Jones and Ruth Ralston; sisters-in-law Karen Ralston, Nancy Patsolic, Irene Grabosky, Patricia Gaydosh, brothers-in-law Stephen “Cubby” Patsolic, Joseph Parana, Francis “Buck” Grabosky and Edward Gaydosh.
When asked, John’s secret to a long life was “living a good, clean life with good kids and great grandkids.”
The family appreciates the great care provided by St. Andrew’s Village and the hospice team from 365, along with his personal pastors Bill, Kathy & Dawn. McCabe Roof Funeral Home of Clymer is assisting the family with service arrangements.
Private interment will be at Elderton Cemetery.
A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests contributions to Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 151200, San Rafael, CA 94915-1200 or www.guidedogs.com and/or Indiana Elks Lodge #931, 475 S. 13th Street, Indiana, PA, 15701.
Online condolence can be made at www.mccaberooffh.com.
