Bearce, Ralph, 87, Caribou, at Caribou, May 16, 2010. Friends may call 1-2 p.m., May 19, at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, where services will begin 2 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
CARIBOU – Ralph Bearce, 87, husband of the late Elizabeth Bearce, died May 16, 2010, in Caribou. He was born Sept. 3, 1922, in Ashland, son of Ralph R. and Lou (Wright) Bearce. He attended Ashland schools, and graduated from Ricker Classical Institute in 1939 and Maine School of Commerce in 1941. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from January 1943 to October 1945. He was a cryptographic technician in Iceland and Northern Ireland, and then was sent to Oxford, England, to RAF cryptographic school after returning to Northern Ireland. Ralph was reassigned to England and then to Belgium. He then returned to Maine School of Commerce for a diploma in accounting in 1946. He married Elizabeth (Johnson) Bearce, July 17, 1950. Ralph was a faithful and active member of Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Caribou, where he served as the financial secretary, treasurer and usher for 40 years. He worked as the office manager for S.W. Collins, Collins Construction Co. and Pioneer Realty Co. for 35 years. He was a life member of Lister-Knowlton Post No. 9389 Veterans of Foreign Wars, a former member of SCORE and was a volunteer at Cary Medical Center with more than 2,000 hours. He enjoyed reading and keeping abreast of the stock market. He is survived by a daughter, Joan Copp of York, Pa.
He was predeceased by his dearly beloved wife, Elizabeth, Jan. 27, 2007.
Friends may call 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, where services will begin 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Benton, pastor, officiating. Military services will be held 1 p.m. by the officers and members of the VFW. Interment with full military honors will take place at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Ralph may do so to Gray Memorial Trustee's Permanent Fund. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
