Ralph Ceglarek

Ralph E. Ceglarek, 58, of Marysville, died Wednesday, November 29, 2006 in Marwood Nursing and Rehab. He was born February 11, 1948 in Port Huron and has lived in the area all his life. Ralph married the former Nancy A. Mackley June 20, 1970 at St. Augustine Church in Richmond. Ralph was a 1967 graduate of Port Huron Catholic High School. He served with the Navy during the Vietnam era, seeing action during the Tet Offensive. After discharge, Ralph was employed 12 years with Grand Trunk Railroad Co. until injuries from his military service ended his career there. He began his studies receiving an Associates Degree from S.C.C.C.C. in May, 1984; another Associates Degree from Mercy College, Detroit in December, 1984; a Bachelors Degree in Addiction Studies, also from Mercy College in May 1985; and an M.S.W. from Wayne State University in 1987. He was employed in several counseling positions until founding Eastern Michigan Counseling Associates in 1992. Ralph was a Diplomat in Clinical Social Work and a licensed marriage and family therapist. He was a member of NAADAC, MAADAC, NASW and a life member of the DAV. Ralph was also licensed as a private pilot and enjoyed SCUBA diving and camping. He is survived by his wife, Nancy and his father, Donald J. Ceglarek, both of Marysville; sister, Jeanne (Dennis) Nalepa of Port Huron Township; brothers, Ronald (Ursula) of Kimball and Richard (M. J.) Ceglarek of Orange County, FL; father-in-law, Gordon J. Mackley of Richmond; sisters-in-law, Marilyn C. (William) Bauman, Richmond and Louise Snyder of Coldwater, MI; brother-in-law, Gordon R. (Dianne) Mackley of Richmond; "his boys", the Westies, Morgan and Murphy and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his mother, Helen and his mother-in-law, Audrey Mackley. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Stephen Church. Rev. Fr. Brian K. Cokonougher, Pastor, will preside. Burial, with Military Rites under direction of St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council, will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff and Adam Ceglarek, Matthew Mackley, Joseph and Stanley Prapotnik and Michael Sturdevant. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and at the church Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Clair County Humane Society or the American Stroke Association.