Ê Ralph was born July 5, 1918 in Hersey, Michigan, the son of Ralph Sr. and Grace (DeVries) Hilts.

Ralph and his late wife Mildred owned and operated the East Jordan Cleaners from 1953 until 1976 when he moved to Central Lake.ÊHe enjoyed fishing, hunting, bird watching and tinkering in his garage.

Jan. 11, 1940 in Good Harbor he married Mildred Hohnke, who preceded him in death in 1997.Ê Also preceding him in death were a son Ronald Hilts in 2006, a brother Lee Hilts and his parents.

Surviving is a daughter Donna (Jerry) McClean of Brockton, N.Y.;Êa sister Gracie (Gary) King of Eaton Rapids; three grandsons, Brian McClean of New York,Ê Darryl (Pam) McClean of Michigan, Allen (Sunshine) McClean of North Carolina; two granddaughters, Katherine (Don) Barnes of Central Lake and Vicki Hilts also of Central Lake; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held May 6, 2008 at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.ÊRev. James Jordan officiated.ÊInterment was in Southern Cemetery in Central Lake.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Lake Fire and Rescue. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.