Ralph Michael
Mr. Ralph R. Michael of Hoffman, departed this life at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 11:13 AM. He had attained the age of 86 years, 3 months and 19 days.
Ralph was born on December 22, 1931 in Hoffman, the son of Rudolph and Esther (nee Kroeger) Michael. He was united in marriage to Arleen Haake on May 23, 1954 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, and she survives his passing.
Ralph was a resident of Hoyleton, for 50 years and retired after working 35 years with ANR Freight Systems Inc., a subsidiary of the Coastal Corporation of Houston, Texas. He then worked as the Postmaster Relief for the U.S. Postal Department for 10 years. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, where he had served as a secretary and on the Board of Elders. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Hoyleton and also served as Trustee and President of the Hoyleton Community Club. Ralph was a member of the Hoyleton Lions Club for 30 years, serving as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and on the Board of Directors. He served on the District 1-CN Cabinet as Director Governor, Vice Governor, Region Chairman, Zone Chairman, also serving on the Lions of Illinois Foundation as Trustee and the Board of Directors. Ralph received the Lions 100% Governor’s Award, Club Extension Award, a Membership Key Award, Outstanding Zone Chairman Award, District Governor’s Extension Award, The International President’s Certificate Appreciation, 100% International President’s Award, also received the International Melvin Jones Fellow, and the Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow. Ralph enjoyed gardening, restoring old tractors, and spending time with family and friends.
Ralph is survived by his wife Arleen Michael of Hoyleton; son, Kurt Michael and his wife Jane of Centralia; two grandchildren, Jason Michael and wife Jodi of Bluford, and Kristen Bushrow and husband Jedediah of Granite City; two great grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jacie Michael; a sister, Imogene Koelling of Hoyleton; two sisters-in-law, Audrey Finke and husband Richard of Nashville, and Anita Lampe and husband Pat of Centralia; two brothers-in-law, Allen Haake and wife Carol of Murphysboro, and Bill Criley of Centralia; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dwight Michael; two sisters, Anita Criley and Melba Kellerman; two brother-in-laws, Roger Koelling and Gene Kellermann; a nephew, Kevin Kellermann and a niece, Cheryl Finke.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11 AM with Pastor Nathan Wollenberg officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton on Sunday from 5 PM until 8 PM and on Monday from 7:30 AM until the service hour.
Should friends desire memorials may be made to the Leader Dogs for the Blind or the Trinity Lutheran Building Steps Fund and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home of Nashville, who is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.
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