Ralph Finch

Ralph Sonny Finch, 72, lifelong resident of Marshalltown, former Miller Jr. High School teacher and coach and MHS coach, died suddenly on Friday morning, February 24, at the MMSC Emergency Room.Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 29th, at the 1st United Methodist Church with Rev. Dale Scritchfield officiating. There will be no visitation. A memorial fund is being established. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Sonny and his family. Ph: 641-844-1234.Born on February 19, 1940, in Marshalltown, he was the son of Ralph and Frances Mildred (Knight) Finch, Sr. He graduated from the Marshalltown High Schools Class of 1958 and played on the state championship basketball team for Marshalltown Community College. He later attended UNI for one year before enlisting to serve our country honorably in the United States Army for three years. He was stationed in Germany and participated in military athletics.Upon his return to the states, he was united in marriage to Janice Dunn at the Little Brown Church on March 20, 1965. They made their home soon after in Kirksville, MO, where he continued his teachers education. He played basketball for the school on a full ride scholarship at 26 years of age.The couple returned to Marshalltown where he began teaching at the Miller Junior High in Social Studies. Education was his passion as was coaching. He coached at both Miller and the Marshalltown Senior High School in track, softball and basketball. He was honored to be in the Hershey Track and Field Hall of Fame and was a member of the American Legion Frank Lewis Glick Post #46, 1st United Methodist Church, served on the Lennox Credit Union Board of Directors, officiated at many local and statewide sports events from junior high through college level, and was passionate about the game of golf and the friends he played with. He treasured his family, especially the grandchildren and loved to attend their activities. After full-time retirement in 1999, he started substitute teaching which he loved. He gained the nickname The Candyman from the Hershey Kisses he brought to school.Left to cherish his memory are Janice, his loving wife of nearly 47 years, daughter Michelle Shelli Finch and her son Spencer of Marshalltown, son Mark (Julie) Finch of Marshalltown and their children Morgan and Madison and his sister Shirley (Rudy) Johns of Marshalltown as well as many friends and people whose lives he impacted.In death, he rejoined his parents and sister Kathrine Finch.