Ralph Elwood Seylar, 100, of Chambersburg, PA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Monday morning, January 13, 2025, at Brookview Health Care Center, Menno Haven. Born March 22, 1924, in Welsh Run, PA, he was the son of the late H. Stanley and Ruth Ommert Seylar.
Ralph was an auto mechanic most of his life, starting his career working for the former Chambersburg Ford Company and then working 21 years, at S&S Auto Service, where he was co-owner, retiring in 1985. In retirement, Ralph worked part time for Jennings Chevrolet in Chambersburg. He was a member of Air Hill Brethren in Christ Church, the Cumberland Valley Steam Association, and the Franklin County Tractor Pullers, where he was a past-President and Lifetime Member. He enjoyed restoring Wheelhorse tractors, attending tractor pulls with his son Jim and grandson, Travis, hunting, going to auto flea markets, and tinkering.
Surviving are three children, Donna J. Wengert (Donald), James L. “Jim” Seylar (Barb), Joyce S. Blackford (Jerry), and his daughter-in-law, Penny Seylar all of Chambersburg; eight grandchildren, Amanda Imwald (Mike), Denise Bernecker (Stephen), Alison Wengert, Travis Seylar (Sarah), Tracey Jackson (Kyle), Cody Reed (Jen), Stephen Seylar (Katrina), and Jodi Affleck (Matt); nineteen great-grandchildren; and a sister, Grace Gearhart (Robert) of Shade Grove, PA. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, I. Mae Seylar, in April 2022, whom he married September 21, 1949; a son, Jerry E. Seylar, and five siblings.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, January 17, 2025, in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA 17202, where Rev. John Melhorn will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will follow the service in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Air Hill Brethren in Christ Church, 7041 Cumberland HWY, Chambersburg, PA 17202.
Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.
