Obituary of Ralph Edwin Burnett

Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee – Mr. Ralph Edwin Burnett, 96, passed away Saturday June 10, 2023, at the STRHS-Winchester Hospital with his family at his bedside.

He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on September 19, 1926, to Grover Cleveland Burnett and Ola Grooms Burnett who preceded him in death along with his wife, Doris McBee Burnett; grandson, Donnie “Duck” Cooper; sisters, Virginia Cunningham and Georgia Ricketts; brothers, Carl David and Benny Burnett.

Ralph was one of the founding Alderman of the City of Gruetli-Laager and the Gruetli-Laager Volunteer Park.  He was an accomplished carpenter and built many homes and buildings in Grundy County.  He was a member of the Sewanee Lodge #405 F&AM, OES#266, The Scottish Rite Bodies of Chattanooga and the Al Menah Shrine Temple in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a proud US Navy veteran serving in the Seabee’s 37th Special Naval Construction Battalion in WWII.  He enjoyed traveling to the Seabee Reunions all over the US. He was a member of the Saint Bernard’s Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his son, Edwin E. (Dale) Burnett; daughters, Ann (Joe) Nunley and Vicki (Rick) Ruehling; grandchildren, Pat Burnett, Kristie Johnson, Jamie (Tina) Cooper, Davy (Jessica) Ruehling and Dusty Ruehling, his favorite, Cristal Cooper; 11 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home with the Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard and the Sewanee Lodge officiating with burial to follow in the Fall Creek Cemetery with Minister Matthew Meeks and Daniel Crabtree officiating.

Visitation: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM Tuesday at Layne Funeral Home, Palmer, Tennessee