Ralph Cassity

Ralph Cassity, age 79, died Friday March 3, 2017 in Ruskin, Florida after a brave battle with congestive heart failure. Born January 24, 1938 in Shelby, Ohio to Lant O. Cassity & Lenora D. Cornell Cassity Emerson and had been a Shelby resident until retiring to Florida in 2003.  Attended Shelby High School, Ralph had served his country for eight years in the US Marine Corps and US Navy in Panama. He then became a journeyman machinist, working at Tappan Co., until its closure and retiring from Minnich Mfg. Mansfield. 
Prior to his passing Ralph stated: "I want to leave a good memory and know that my clowning around as Abbutt Da Klown has brought laughter to all I have entertained over my lifetime." He had 40 years of clowning including 28 years as Santa, Blues Monster, Easter Bunny and other characters. For all that he did he received a Kentucky Colonel Commission in 2016 from the governor of Kentucky. From "clown to colonel" it was said.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Porter Cassity of Lakeland, Fl; two daughters, Crystal Cassity Taylor (Gene) of Lakeland, Fl and Kimberly Newcome Strubhar (Jeff) of Newport News, Va.; two sons, Steven Cassity Smith (Cathy) and Roger Cassity all of Mansfield; his grandchildren, Ben, Ashlee, Tara, Logan, Austin, Cody and Max,  as well as several great grandchildren; his siblings: Marilyn Cassity Cornette and Robert J Cassity of Mansfield, Jerry L Cassity (Beverly) of Butler and sister-in-law, Iris Sue Cassity, Mansfield.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Rev. Peter H. Cassity (Lula), Morehead, Ky., Benson F. Cornell (Almira);  uncles, Milton F Cornell, USMC, Clifton "Bud" Cornell (Lavonne) and Noah Cassity (Lucia); Aunt Martha Cassity Markwell (James); sister-in-law, Shirley A Cassity, RN;  brother-in-law H.Gene Cornette and father-in-law Erol Emerson.
 
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory. Rev.Travis McKenzie will officiate with interment held at Oakland Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00-11:00 am. 
 
To honor Ralph’s memory of his commitment to laughter and smiles, the Cassity Family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family.
  

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