Ralph Koehler's Obituary
Ralph Edward Koehler, son of Albert Harrison and Sylvia Belle Brackett Koehler, was born June 22, 1939, near Competition, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, March 15, 2009, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-nine years, eight months, and twenty-three days. On March 1, 1958, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Cotrel, and to this union four daughters and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cheri Creasy; and a brother, Billy Koehler. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Mary, of the home; three daughters, Belinda Chastain, and her husband, Brent, Kim Bennett, and her husband, Mike, and Kathy Lane, and her husband, George, all of Falcon, Missouri; a son, Ralph E. “Ralphie” Koehler, Jr., and his wife, Stacie, of Falcon, Missouri; a son-in-law, Bob Creasy, of Falcon, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Jeff and Jason Creasy, Jana Kimrey, Derek and Tiffany Chastain, Kasey Gilby, Ashley and Joshua Bennett, Wyatt and Garrett Koehler, and Dalton and Elijah Lane; two great-grandchildren, Addison Kimrey and Riley Gilby; two brothers, Dale Koehler, and his wife, Betty, of Falcon, Missouri, and Ronald Koehler, and his wife, Linda, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sisters, Brenda Kimberlin, and her husband, Randy, Linda Green, and her husband, Bill, all of Falcon, Missouri, and Becky Sing, and her husband, Marvin, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in the Competition, Missouri area and graduated from Plato High School in the Class of 1957. Shortly after he and Mary were married, they made their home on their dairy farm in the Falcon area and lovingly raised their children. Besides being a dairy farmer for thirty-two years, Ralph also worked for the H. D. Lee Company for fifteen years, and then drove a school bus for the Competition and Plato School Districts for twenty-seven years. Ralph had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of the Family of Faith Church, near Competition, Missouri. He liked being outdoors where two of his favorite leisure activities were hunting and fishing. He enjoyed working with dairy cattle and also driving the school bus. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ralph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday March 18, 2009 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Home Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday evening 7-8:30 pm under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Family of Faith Church. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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