Ralph L. McElhinney

June 22, 1938 - February 12, 2022

McElhinney, Ralph L. Age 83, February 12, 2022, in Rochester Hills, Michigan, formerly of Sterling Heights, Michigan. Beloved husband of the late Helen "Bubbie" (died December 4th, 2017). Ralph and Helen were married August 4,1962 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was born June 22, 1938 in Dysart, Black Hawk County, Iowa; to his late parents Eric and Judith (Nelson). Loving father of James (Paula Gregoricka Jilek) and the late Jill, Robert (Laurel) Jilek, Joyce (Dr. Joseph) Bayma, Joe (Dr. Joyce) Jilek, and the late Daniel, survived by his wife Joy (Allen) Dumont. Dear brother of Judi (Joe) Peluso and the late Doris (Jim) Kimmelshue, and the late Warren (Pat) McElhinney. Proud grandfather of 13 and great grandfather of many. Ralph graduated from Genessee Consolidated High School in 1956. Served his country by joining the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University; Masters of Arts from Wayne State University, and retired after 25 years as an educator at Henry Ford High School, in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He also coached high school tennis at Henry Ford High School. He helped manage their family farm in Iowa. Ralph and Helen's inurnment will be held on Monday, May 9th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with Military Honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan. Family request donations to Utica Community Schools Educational Foundation, 7600 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314. Please share a memory at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com