Ralph John Zosel of Oroville passed away at his home on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the age of 97. Ralph was born Feb 5 1917 to William and Katie Zosel in Ballard Washington.   They soon moved to Chesaw where his father purchased a partnership with Julius Richter in a small sawmill. In 1922 they moved to a home halfway between Wauconda and Leese on Bonaparte Creek to form a partnership with Walter Walden where they manufactured box shook. Ralph and brother James, at the ages six and three years old, set up their own sawmill.   In 1926 William moved the family and business to Oroville to the present site of the Zosel Lumber Company.  In 1948 Ralph and James took over the operation of the mill following the death of their father William.  Ralph remained active in the business with his sons as long as he was able – still interested in getting the mail and checking in at the office well into his 90's.


Ralph graduated from Oroville high school in 1933.  During the winter months of the years following he attended Kinman Business College in Spokane to study accounting – while working the summer months in the sawmill.  As a youth, he enjoyed photography and building his own boats. In the early 1940's Ralph earned his private pilot's license and enjoyed flying many years.


In 1941 Ralph married Eunice Turner of Spokane, WA.  They made their home in Oroville, first in a house they built on Cherry Street and then in 1952 moving to a new home on the east side of Lake Osoyoos. Ralph and Eunice had five children before Eunice died of cancer in 1959.  Ralph remarried in 1962 to Dorothy Den Herder of Olympia Wa.  She preceded him in death in 2009.


As a youth Ralph chose to live his life as a part of a world-wide family of Christians – a choice that guided him for the rest of his life.  For many years, one of the little fellowship meetings met in his home on Sunday mornings.


Ralph is survived by his brother James (Ellen) Zosel of Oroville, daughter Mary of Oakland CA, son John (Linda) of Oroville, daughter Ruth (Robert) Hoag of Hillsborough NC, and son Howard (Nancy) of Oroville.  A daughter Nancy preceded him in death.  There are 8 grandchildren, Bill (Jennifer) Zosel, Scott (Kristin) Zosel, Andy (Renea) Zosel, Trevan (Jill) Zosel, Kimberly (Chris) Leeper, Megan (Todd) Williams, Heather Zosel, and Monica Zosel.  These are joined by 12 great grand children:  Zachary, Alexis, Justin, Landon, Jakob, Elizabeth, Katarina, Jonathan, Zariah, Toriana, and Bryson Zosel and Macy Williams, as well as several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends from near and far.


Funeral services will be held February 22 at 2 o'clock at the Oroville High School Commons.  Visitation will be at Ralph's home, 89 Eastlake Road on Friday from 3 to 6 pm.


Memorials may be made in Ralph's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Association JDRF (jdrf.org) or the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).


Bergh Funeral Service in Oroville is in charge of the arrangements.