Ralph Irwin "Jerry" Mahle

Ralph Irwin "Jerry" Mahle was born to Ralph William Mahle and Ruth Russell  Bassler Mahle in Ironton, Ohio on May 23, 1936. He was welcomed into the family by grandparents William Mahle and Mary Hartman Mahle and Anna Pabst Bassler, Aunt Bessie and Uncle Con Staker.(3rd set of grandparents). Six years later, he was joined by sister Sara and sixteen years later, sister M'liss.

Jerry was a Boy Scout and ultimately attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Saint Joe High School where he played football. He attended Ashland Junior College, Marshall University and graduated from Rio Grande University where he helped organize a fraternity, “The Order of  Archon”, for which he was recognized at the 65th anniversary of its' founding. While at Rio Grande, he wrote for the school newspaper under the name, "I. R. Humble". As a student, he worked as the night medical technologist at Holzer Hospital and it was there he met his wife of 62 years, Pat Beghtel Mahle. He received his master’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

After graduation, the family moved to Franklin, Ohio where Jerry taught science along with coaching football and basketball. While living in Franklin, daughter Christine Ann Mahle Trendel and son Jerry Bradford Mahle were born. He was a volunteer firefighter and later became Fire Chief and was employed by NCR as director of fire protection. In 1972, the family relocated to Irving, Texas where he was employed by Chemitron and he traveled the Western United States and Mexico selling and managing the installation of fire protection systems.

When Pat answered a call to ministry, Jerry returned to teaching in order to be able to move to whatever location she was assigned. He taught at The Winston School,  ESL at L.G. Pinkston High School and was ESL Department Chairperson at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas.

After retiring from teaching, he accepted  a call to ministry and served as local pastor to Miller Grove, Cumby, and Tioga, Texas and served on the staff at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano.

Jerry most enjoyed spending time with his family and especially loved the holiday seasons. He enjoyed playing bridge, golf, and regaling everyone with his stories and sense of humor. When at the YMCA, he gathered fellow guys around him and they became the “Y Guys”, who visited him every week when he could no longer go to the YMCA.

Jerry is preceded in death by his sisters Sara, M’liss, and his parents. He is survived by wife Patsy, daughter Christine and son-in-law Chris Trendel, son Jerry Mahle, granddaughters Edie Mahle and Mary Mahle along with numerous additional family members.

Jerry was a devoted and loyal member of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano and will be most remembered for his genuine kindness.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, Texas 75075.

If desired, memorials to honor Jerry’s life may be sent to Christ United Methodist Church Endowment Fund at the address shown above.