Ralph Wilson

Obituaries

May 10, 2016 - 12:00 AM

Ralph O. Wilson, 82, Iola, died Monday, May 9, 2016, at Windsor Place in Iola.

Ralph was born Aug. 20, 1933, on the family farm west of Iola, the son of Ray L. “Buck” and Anna L. (Townsend) Wilson. He grew up on the farm and attended West Liberty Grade School through eighth grade. On Nov. 10, 1952, Ralph married Dolores Joan Smith at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Piqua. He then served in the U.S. Army during peacetime. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he and Dolores always made their home in Iola. He worked at Lesh Oil and Self Service in produce before beginning his job with the City of Iola gas and water department. He retired after 33 years. Dolores preceded him in death Dec. 19, 2012.

He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola, Knights of Columbus, and the Iola American Legion.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Bland and husband Roger, Iola, and Debbie Hill and husband Rick, Parker, Colo.; four grandchildren, Lori Goodell and husband Tadd, Colony, Jeremy Bland and wife Rebecca, Waukee, Iowa, Jason Hill and wife Audra, Parker, Colo., and Darrin Hill and Angie Johnson, Lacon, Ill.; eight great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sister Bertha Westerman and brothers Herschel and Elmer Wilson.

 

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola. The parish rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Mass at 10:30, both at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Iola. Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Catholic Church, Allen County Hospice or Kappa Alpha Chapter of Phi Tau Omega Sorority for local cancer support. Memorial gifts may be left with the funeral home. To leave a condolence online, go to www.iolafuneral.com.

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