Ralph E. Van Etten

November 6, 2011 

ANTWERP, N.Y.  —  Ralph E. “Van” Van Etten, 82, Antwerp, died Saturday, Nov. 5, at Mercy of Northern New York, Watertown. 

Born Feb. 7, 1929, in Ithaca, a son of the late William and Ada Wood Van Etten, he attended school in Ithaca. 

He served in the Army from 1951 to 1955 in active service, then the Army Reserves until Jan. 12, 1960. 

Mr. Van Etten was a member of the Antwerp American Legion Post 916 and was Antwerp Town Constable for many years. 

He married Marjorie Goodison on Aug. 9, 1968, at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church with Rev. Stanley Brown officiating.   

Mr. Van Etten was employed with the New York Air Brake in Watertown. 

Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Marjorie and John Althouse, N.H.; two sons, Frank Van Etten, N.Y., and Dean Van Etten, Ga.; a stepdaughter, Flora Kiser, N.C.; two stepsons, Lee Murdock, Del., and Donald Murdock, Ala.; a sister, Rena Clute, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; 10 great great-grandchildren; and a great great grandchild. 

He was predeceased by a son, Ronald Van Etten, a stepdaughter, Jeannne Smith, a stepson, Archie Murdock, as well as five brothers and two sisters. 

The funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church of Antwerp. Burial will be in Oxbow Cemetery. 

Arrangements are with Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Inc., Theresa. 

Donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of Antwerp. 

Condolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com.

Information provided by Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Inc. and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.