Ralph W. Sebring, Sr. of Valparaiso passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2010 at the Golden Living Center Fountainview Place in Portage. He was 89.

Born on July 17, 1921 in Rochester, Pa., he was the son of the late John and Ruth (nee Moore) Sebring. Ralph fulfilled his childhood dream of flying fighter planes and served with the RCAF, RAF, and USAF as a fighter pilot during WW II. He was a POW from January, 1944 to May, 1945, and remained a fighter pilot in the USAF until 1955. He was a resident of Valparaiso for five years, formerly of Munster. He was a self-employed salesman in the building business, a member of the VFW Post 1563 in Crown Point, and a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Munster.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia A. (nee Frye) Sebring; children Ralph Sebring, Jr. (wife Jennifer) of Chesterton, Emily Watson (husband Michael), Patricia Welch (Paul), Dave Sebring (Mari), Joanie Hein (Ken), Phil Sebring (Sindy), Tina Vitoux (Ron), and Jim Miller (Cathy); 18 beloved grandchildren; and sister-in-law Marge Sebring.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Sebring, and a sister, Leora Zawacki.

Cremation will take place at Calvary Crematory in Portage. Burial of Cremains will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Adult Day Care Center, 1859 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, IN, 46385. Arrangements are being handled by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., 462-3125.