Herman Ralph “Sharp” Ingram
Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network
Herman Ralph “Sharp” Ingram, 89, of Kokomo, went home to be with the Lord at 9:48 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Ralph was born October 14th, 1935, in Nauvoo, Alabama to William Frank and Mary Minerva (Concord) Ingram. He married Julliah “Irene” Kessler on June 14, 1958, and she survives. He was a lifelong farmer and retired from Chrysler with 30 years’ service.
Ralph began his farming career working for Eldon Miller in Galveston. He loved attending auctions and collecting tractors and antiques. Ralph was a longtime member of Mt. Zion Free Methodist Church near Galveston and he served as Deacon at the Meek Baptist Church in Alabama and also helped build the church. He was a member of Men for Missions, a lay movement born of God to mobilize ordinary men from all walks of life to do extraordinary things by being willing to Do, Go, and Give whatever God asks. Ralph also enjoyed the Fa So La or Sacred Harp type of singing, a shape-note or character-note singing developed in the eighteenth century. He was also a member of U.A.W. Local #685 in Kokomo. After retiring he enjoyed trips back to Alabama and started a small business building floating boat docks on Smith Lake during his time there.
Surviving family include his wife Julliah “Irene” Ingram; his children, Rhonda (Mickey) Benton of Alabama, Brad (Laurie) Ingram of Peru and Stacy (Mark) Hall of Peru. He is survived by twelve grandchildren, Brittany (Michael) McCants, Austin (Cara) Benton, Cole (Kelsey) Benton, Dawson (Chelsie) Benton, Eli (Taylor) Benton, Nick (Jaleigha) Ingram, Mason (Jakelyn) Ingram, Maddison (Sam Scott) Ingram, Matthew (Isabelle) Ingram, Alexis Hall (Kristopher Marburger), Sabra (Aaron) Hall and Jade Danyel Hall. Great Grandchildren include, Layton McCants, Loftyn McCants, Raelyn Benton, Presley Grace Benton, Bentley Benton, Kinsley Benton, Dawson Wilkins “Wilks” Benton, Jennicka Ingram, Jaise Ingram, Oliver Ingram, Ryleigh Grace Ingram and Kaison Ingram. Ralph is survived by one brother Lonnie and wife Kay Ingram of Nauvoo, AL and special nephews, Leciel Lawson and Jeff Tew and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Horace (Judy) Ingram, Ava Lee (Guy) Lawson, Elmer (Lucy) Ingram, Ruby (Pete) Keaton, Opal (Alton) Farley and Kenneth Ingram.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2025, at Bennetts Switch Community Church, 2261 IN 18, Kokomo, IN with funeral services to follow on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. with pastors Jackson Moore and Norm Snyder officiating. Ralph will be laid to rest in the Clymer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions made to the Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com