Wellsville, NY – Ralph A. Eastlack,
82, of
Schrader Road, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in his home surrounded by family. He was born
April 30, 1942, in Salem, NJ, the son of the late John A. and Florence (Seymour) Eastlack. On
August 16, 1969, in Wellsville, he married
Christine E. Tompkins, who survives.
Ralph was raised in
New Jersey and
was a graduate of
Penns Grove
High School. He continued his education at Houghton College, earning
his
bachelors in
1965. He was
a service minded individual and was very active in the faith ministries
in Allegany County: he was the first executive director of Allegany County Youth for Christ (YFC)
where he served for 45 years, eventually transitioning to
Southern Tier YFC
. With his family, he would lead the annual YFC trip to the Ocean City
Conference
, and for over 20 years
lead the YFC mission trips to Haiti
, with as many as 35 children
.
Additionally, he established the
YFC Skate Park and
Drop
In
Center in the Rockwell building.
Outside of YFC, his ministry included a close relationship with Gill’s Hills
to help troubled children,
interim
pastor for the Christian Temple, the Congregational Church, and
the
Hallsport Community
Church. Extending his service, he was
a chairman of the County Youth Board for many years, a Chaplin for Jones Memorial
Hospital
, volunteer counselor at Wellsville Central School,
a member of the Wellsville Exchange
Club
,
was a bus driver for Wellsville Central Schools for over 40
years,
and
was
a very involved member of his home church, Brookside Wesleyan.
He also enjoyed vintage cars.
In addition to his wife of
55 years, Chris, he is survived by: t
wo
children,
Matt (Adriana) Eastlack of
Hamlin, NY
and Josh Eastlack of Slidell, LA;
grandchildren, Maddy, Colin, Adyn, Jayden, and Hailey;
and son-in-law, Doug Ryan
of Walworth, NY
;
brothers, Karl (
Anita
) Eastlack of
Allentown, PA
and Lawrence (
Nancy
) Eastlack
of
Virginia
;
a sister, Bonnie (Jack) Eastlack-Suter of North Carolina;
as well as several nieces and nephews
. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased
by
a daughter, Julie Ryan
;
and
two brothers, Wayne Eastlack and Casper Farro
w
.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 21 , 2024, at 11:00 am in the Brookside Wesleyan Church , 3469 Andover Road , Wellsville, NY . Please consider memorial donations to Family Life, 7634 County Road 14, Bath, NY 14810 . To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com .