Seymour Tribune - October 24, 2009 
Ralph E. Holtman
1925 - 2009 
Ralph E. Holtman, 84, Seymour, passed away at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Lutheran Community Home, Seymour, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Holtman was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour. He was baptized on Aug 23, 1925, and confirmed on April 2, 1939. He was president of the congregation for four years, was in the Immanuel Men's Club and was on the New Building Committee in 1962. He was retired from farming. He graduated from Shields High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1943. He graduated from Purdue University in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He was a Farm Bureau member, a 21-year member of the Soil Conservation Service, where he served on the board from 1973 to 1975, and was director of REMC, as well as a 26- year member. In 1994, he received the Master Farmer Conservationist Award from the Soil Conservation Service. He was an avid bowler.
Born in Seymour on Aug. 8, 1925, he was the son of Henry and Louise Kilgas Holtman, both of whom preceded him in death. On July 17, 1966, in Jackson County, he married LaVonna Mae Burman, who survives.
Besides his wife of 43 years, he is survived by his sons, Carl (Amy) Holtman and Mark (fiancée, Jennifer) Holtman; grandson, Brandon Holtman; and stepgrandchildren, Bryant Carmichael, Austin and J.D. Fish and Paige and Makayla Kestler.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Verna Aileen Holtman.
The Rev. Ralph Blomenberg, the Rev. Philip Bloch and the Rev. James Rodriguez will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour. Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Seymour.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Voss Chapel, Seymour, and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church.