Ralph A Wesbecher

RALPH A. WESBECHER, 96, of Walsh, Illinois, passed away at 8:43 am, Monday, May 4, 2020 at Garden Place, Red Bud, Illinois.

He was born to the late Hilary and Frances (nee Roth) Wesbecher on June 10, 1923 in Walsh, Illinois.

Ralph married Bertha Pautler on April 10, 1940 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; she preceded him in death on December 14, 2005. Ralph and Bertha were married for 65 years prior to her death. They were a team working their grain and dairy farm. They spent their summers camping and teaching their grandchildren to water ski. In later years, they spent their winters in Florida.

Ralph loved his God, he adored his family, and cherished his friends. He attended St. Pius V Catholic Church in Walsh most of his life. He was a member of the Randolph County Farm Bureau. He was a 3 ^rd Degree Knight of Columbus #1952 in Evansville, Illinois and 4 ^th Degree Knight of Columbus Kaskaskia General Assembly #1287.

Underneath his charismatic personality, Ralph had a strength of character that inspired others. He showed by example that every person is worthy of kindness and respect and that you can lead a good life by hard work and loving each other. It’s hard to say which he did better, make you laugh or make you feel loved.

Ralph liked watching sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed family gatherings, where he loved to tell stories of his life experiences. Everyone wanted him as a card partner. He was a shark at both pinochle and euchre. His memory will always bless his children and family.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Garden Place in Red Bud for giving him wonderful care and treating him as family.

Survivors:

2 Children:

Carol (Claude) Kessler Granite City, IL

Ron (Alice) Wesbecher LeRoy, IL

1 Son-in-law:

Harvey Kessler Wentzville, MO

1 Sister-in-law:

Brenda Pautler Evansville, IL

Special Friend: Loretta Kiefer Sparta, IL

10 Grandchildren

26 Great Grandchildren

4 Great Great Grandchildren

2 Nieces and 2 Nephews

Preceded in Death by : Parents, Wife, 1 Daughter - Norma Kessler, 2 Sisters and 1 Brother

A Memorial Mass will be held in Ralph’s memory at a later date at St. Pius V Catholic Church, Walsh, Illinois.

Private Graveside Service will be held at St. Pius V Catholic Cemetery, Walsh, Illinois with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.

Memorials contributions can be made in Ralph’s memory to St. Pius V Catholic Church, St. Pius

V Catholic Cemetery and Donor’s Choice and memorials are being accepted at the Pechacek

Funeral Homes in Red Bud.