John Ralph Broad, 79, of East Brewster Road died at 12:37 a.m. Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born July 28, 1927, in Butler, he was the son of William T. and Bessie A. Lingerman Broad.

He had been a welder/supervisor at Pullman Standard and retired when the plant closed in 1981. He also owned and operated the family business, Pat's Auto Sales.

Mr. Broad was a past member of the Butler Baptist Temple.

He enjoyed gardening, buying and selling, reading and playing Sequence and his family.

He had served in the Coast Guard/Merchant Marine as a fireman/oiler on the Gulf of Venezuela during World War II.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He cherished personal relationships and greatly appreciated the love and support from family, friends and Pastor Dave over the past month.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia M. Broad, whom he married on May 14, 1949, a son and his wife, John and Sharla Broad, a daughter, Marjorie E. Broad and a daughter-in-law, Dianne Broad, all of Butler; and four grandchildren, Christen A., Emily N., J.T. and Joshua R. Broad.

He also is survived by a brother and his wife, William H. and Della M. Broad of Butler; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A son, Thomas E. Broad, preceded him in death.

<B>BROAD </B>— Friends of John Ralph Broad, who died Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St.Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Maitland, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating.Private burial will be held at the family's convenience.Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 221 W. New Castle St., Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.