Ralph Warren Behrens

Ralph Warren Behrens, 71, of Ozark, MO went to Heaven September 22, 2011. He was a family man, a Christian man, and a studious man. He was born April 18, 1940 to Walter and Ellen Behrens in Takoma Park, MD. Ralph married Mary Katheryn Melton, his high-school sweetheart, December 28, 1962. He received his Bachelor"�s Degree in Secondary Education from Eastern Baptist College and Master"�s Degrees in English (Univ of MD) and Safety Education (Central MO State). Ralph worked for twenty years in public education teaching English and Drivers Education and worked for the Maryland State Board of Education as a Safety Supervisor for his local district schools. After leaving education he worked in real estate in Maryland then Missouri, owned Mobility Care of the Ozarks "� a medical supply company, and maintained the family"�s Century Farm with a cow-calf operation. Ralph was always a member of a Southern Baptist Church, sang in the choir until he couldn"�t sing any longer, taught Sunday School and cared for others in ways they sometimes didn"�t even know. He and Mary provided direct care for her mother and grandparents and contributed energy, prayers, and financial assistance to so many others. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Brad and daughter Dr. Hollis K. Bell (Conrad); grandsons Conrad and Benjamin; brothers Ken (Donna) and Jerry (Shirley); and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, September, 27, 2011 at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, MO with visitation 6-8 PM Monday, September, 26, 2011 in the funeral home. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, MO. The family requests memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, to the building fund at First Baptist Church Ozark, MO or the American Heart Association.