Ralph W. Laux Obituary, 1928-2026

Ralph W. Laux, age 97, of Bryant, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2026. Ralph was born in Jay County on August 20, 1928, to Frank and Odelia (Wagner) Laux. He graduated from Bryant High School in 1946, served in the army 1950-52 during the Korean War, and was married on August 20, 1955, to Virginia Ura of Jackson, Michigan.

A lifelong farmer, Ralph worked for New Idea and the Jay County Assessor's Office, serving as Deputy Assessor before being elected twice as Assessor; he was awarded Assessor of the Year in 1996, for Indiana's Northeast District. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a lifelong blood donor, and active in Holy Trinity Men's Sodality, the Bryant Senior Citizens, the Optimist's Club, and the Knights of Columbus. Ralph loved Cincinnati Reds baseball, Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, road-tripping, and spending time with family and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Virginia and sons Frank (wife Toni) and Giles (wife Barbie). Surviving are seven children: Teresa Laux, Christopher (wife Michelle) Laux, Daria (husband Mike) Laux-Walpole, Maureen (husband Mark) Baker, Terence Laux, Amy Laux, Nicole (husband Jon) Sholly; eleven grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be April 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bryant, Indiana. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be March 31, 2-6 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland, Indiana. Memorials can be made to Jake D. Muhlenkamp "Little Patriot" Endowment Fund or Jay County Humane Society. Online condolences at bairdfreeman.com.