Ralph Zoppa of Wayland died Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the age of 71.

Ralph loved gardening, canning, books, astronomy, note taking, sweatpants and sweaters. He ran marathons for 23 years. He was in to Indiana Jones movies, JRR Tolkien books, and Farmers’ Almanac.

He graduated from St. Louis Michigan High School, Aquinas College, and MSU (master’s degree), and ran track in high school and college.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dot Zoppa; children John (Tara) Zoppa, Sherri Zoppa, and Tim Zoppa; grandsons Dax and Crew Zoppa; sisters Marybeth (Jim) Tessmer and Angie (Brad) Biegalle; brothers Ken (Barb) Zoppa and Marty Zoppa; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence Timothy Zoppa and Esther Josephine Bryska; sister, Rosemary Reichardt.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at the Wayland Christian Reformed Church, 303 E. Elm St., Wayland, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.