Ralph J. Wilhelm

Ralph J. Wilhelm, 84, of Mascoutah, IL, born Mar. 4, 1931 in Mascoutah Township, IL, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 at St. Paul’s Home, Belleville, IL.

Ralph grew up on a farm East of Mascoutah and started his working career for Mascoutah Equipment Co and then for the City of Mascoutah.  He retired from Civil Service at Scott Air Force Base where he worked as a water treatment plant operator, and the roads & grounds crew, during that time he also worked part-time for Graul’s Service Station in Mascoutah. Ralph then went to work for Wilke Window and Door in Shiloh, IL.  He was a member of Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah where he volunteered for many years; he was a member of the Mascoutah Knights of Columbus Council 4380; 4 ^th degree member of Bishop William Cosgrove Assembly 3151, Freeburg, IL; and was a U. S. Army Korean War veteran serving from 1952 to 1954.  Ralph enjoyed being with his family and friends, playing cards, bowling, and doing yard work.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ann, nee Voegele, Wilhelm; brothers Joe Wilhelm, Roman (Marcella) Wilhelm, Meinard Wilhelm, Erwin (Delores) Wilhelm, and Herbert Wilhelm; sisters-in-law, Alice Wilhelm, and Eunice Wilhelm; brother-in-law, Bruce Markwardt.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, nee Karpel, Wilhelm of 60 years, whom he married in Mascoutah, IL on Oct. 25, 1955; five children, Ron (Janet) Wilhelm of McKinney, TX, Larry (Colette) Wilhelm of Jefferson City, MO, Kenneth (Nancy) Wilhelm of Loveland, OH, Donna (Larry) Rigdon of Smithton, IL, and Keith (Ann) Wilhelm of O’Fallon, IL; ten grandchildren, David, Joel, Jacob, Lauren, Elizabeth, Jay, Grant, Leanne, Julia, and Alex Wilhelm; two brothers, Leo and Marcel Wilhelm; four sisters, Martha (John) Henrichs, Sister Janet Marie Wilhelm, Rose Markwardt, and Ann (Phillip) Sherry; three sisters-in-law, Darlene Wilhelm, Darlene Schaperkoetter, and Delores Wilhelm; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Holy Childhood Memorial Improvement Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com .

Visitation: Visitation is from 4 to 8 PM Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL and from 9 to 10 AM Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah.  A 4 ^th degree K of C Chalice Service will be held at 7:30 PM Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Funeral: a funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah with Fr. Jerry Hechenberger officiating.  Burial will be in Holy Childhood Catholic Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.