Ralph D. Schiffbauer, 69, Bern, KS, lost his battle against cancer early Friday morning, March 12, 2010 at his home in Bern, with his wife Ida at his side.

Ralph was born in Horton, KS, the son of Oliver W. and Lucille Crider Schiffbauer Gormley. He attended St. Leo’s Grade School in Horton and then Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Seneca. In 1961, he married Linda Kuykendall; they were later divorced.

On April 29, 1960 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, obtaining his military training in San Diego and Memphis, TN. While in the Navy he served on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise CVAN-65, which was stationed in the Pacific Fleet and served in support of the Vietnam Conflict. In 1965 he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit at Schenectady, NY, where he was an instructor. He was known to seek out students who were experiencing academic difficulty, whom he counseled and guided with great expertise. During his military career he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. When he was honorably discharged on February 7, 1969, he held the rank of Electronic Technician First Class.

In 1974, he started the Schiffbauer Construction Company, which specialized in basement and foundation repair and stabilization as well as rebuilding old barns. He retired in 2009 due to his health.

In 1984, he purchased Sheik Hardware along with two buildings on Bern’s Main Street. On those lots he built a new free-span building and where he moved the business, renamed Bern Hardware. After closing out the hardware business, Ralph kept the building to use as a shop and an office for his construction business.

On May 31, 2003, he married Ida M. Askren Malone in St. Joseph, MO.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and the St. Joseph Society. He served on the Bern City Council for 20 years and was the Mayor of Bern from 2005 to 2009. Ralph volunteered at T.O.U.C.H. (To Our Unique Catholic Handicapped) in St. Joseph, MO.

He is survived by his wife Ida of the home; his son Ralph “Butch” (Marg) Schiffbauer, Jr. of Du Bois, NE; his daughters, Susan Hundley of Atchison, KS, Tina Schiffbauer of Golden, CO and Tessa (Aaron) Becker of Wellsville, KS; three step-children, Cathy (Kevin) Echterling of St. Joseph, MO, Debbie Batliner of Chesapeake, VA, and Bill (Jenny) Malone of Houston, TX; his brothers, Robert Schiffbauer of Holton, KS, William Schiffbauer of Seabrook, TX, James and Eugene Gormley, both of Horton, KS, Duane Schiffbauer of Abilene, KS, Paul and Donald Schiffbauer, both of Topeka; his sisters, Judith McGuffin, Jeanenne Carson and Mary K. Harris, all of Holton, Kathleen Serra of Kansas City, KS, Colette McAfee of Horton, and Sara Schiffbauer of Shelbyville, IN; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Helen Elizabeth Schiffbauer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, March 16, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the Horton Cemetery at a later date. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday, March 15, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Ralph’s memory to the Kansas Society for Crippled Children or Sts. Peter & Paul School, sent in care of the family.