Obituary

Name: Ralph Allen Birdsell Age: 88 Address: Mount Olive, Illinois
Died: Friday, February 26, 2016, 7:10 pm Place: Heritage Health of Litchfield, Litchfield, Illinois.
Born: June 27, 1927 Place: at his home in Staunton, Illinois.
Father: the late: Irvin S. Birdsell
Mother: the late: Ernestine J. Fischer
Spouse: the late: Joyce Georgia Wathern she died January 13, 2002
Date of Marriage: June 25, 1949
Place of Marriage: First Methodist Church, Mt .Olive, Illinois married by Reverend Purcell

Schooling: attended North & South School in Staunton, Illinois
Church: 1st United Methodist Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois

Occupation: Retired as a laborer from Local #397 // At one time Street Commissioner for Mt. Olive and in his early years employed at Olin Corporation of East Alton, Illinois.
Military Service: A member of the Army Air Corp. Served as a corporal during WWII from June 13, 1946 until July 25, 1947 and as a sergeant for the 486th Combat Engineers from January 18, 1950 until July, 1952.
Organizations: A member of Mt. Olive VFW Post #5790.
Interests: Loved fishing // traveling to Branson and especially loved being around his family.
Survivors: 1 Son: Gene (Ruth) Birdsell of Mt. Olive, IL // 3 Grandsons: Keith (Donna) Guild of Mt. Olive, IL // Gene (Stacy) Birdsell, Jr. of Hamel, IL // Rick (Heather) Birdsell of Staunton, IL // 1 Grandaughter: Rebecca Birdsell of Mt. Olive, IL// 9 Great-Grandchildren: // Joey Guild //// Chelsea // Dylan // Bryce // & Ethan Leitschuh // Lucas // Landon // Ella // & Lauren Birdsell // 4 Great-Great Granchildren: Connor, Grayson, Karter, & Phoebe.

Preceded in Death: Parents: Irvin S. & Ernestine J. Fischer Birdsell // Wife: Joyce Georgia Wathern Birdsell // 1 Daughter: Vicki Guild // 2 Brothers: Marvin & Laverne Birdsell.

Visitation: Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Becker & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Olive, Illinois.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 11:00 am Becker & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Olive, Illinois.
Burial: Mt. Olive City Cemetery
Clergy: Reverend Nancy Ribes
Lunch: for family and friends 1st United Methodist Fellowship Hall served by the Methodist ladies .
Memorials: Mt. Olive City Cemetery or Mt. Olive Fire Department.
Condolences: beckerandson.com

Funeral Service

Wednesday, March 02, 2016
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

BECKER & SON FUNERAL HOME
221 S. POPLAR
MOUNT OLIVE, Illinois 62069