Ralph Louis Pfeiffer

Ralph Louis Pfeiffer, 94, died in the early evening of Saturday, March 16, 2013 after an extended period of failing health. He was born on July 27, 1918 in Milltown, IN to Jesse Cleveland Pfeiffer and Clara Byrum Pfeiffer. The family moved to a farm in Monticello, Illinois when Ralph was seven. He graduated from the Bement High School in 1938. Ralph was very proud of his farm heritage.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Geraldine and Clarence Wyman and Vaneta and Everett Blacker; nephews, Lyle Wyman, Harold Blacker, Dennis Etherton and Jerry Morville; and brother-in-law, Roy Etherton, Richard Morville, and Robert Stine.Ralph came to Robinson to visit family in the early 1940€™s and stayed to work at Case Manufacturing. He worked in the plant for 26 years, then for 10 years traveled as a quality control representative and in sales for Briggs Pottery. Upon retiring, he sold and appraised real estate.A World War II Veteran, Ralph entered the Army in 1942 and served with the 104th Medical Batallion. In 1945 his unit was attached to the Marines when they invaded Iwo Jima. In later years he shared stories of his service and was one of several area Veterans featured in a documentary produced by WEIU in 2007.In 1950 Ralph married Marjorie Lee Morville in Cerro Gordo, Illinois. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary at home with friends and family last November 18th.Ralph was an avid gardener and fisherman. He was a life member of the Robinson V. F. W. Post #4549 and Robinson Elks Lodge #1188, and a past member and officer of Kiwanis. He was a Cra Wa La volunteer and served his community working in the food pantry. Ralph was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Robinson for 58 years and was deeply saddened to learn that his beloved church burned Christma night of last year. He served his church as trustee, usher, and member of the radio committee. He was active for many years in the Democratic party, serving as Crawford County committee chair and precinct committeeman.Ralph leaves his wife Marjorie; daughter, Julia Pfeiffer Scherrer of Marion and Anne Louise Kane and her husband Don of Marshall; a granddaughter Julia Elizabeth and her son Cade Harrison Parks of Marion. Cade and his great grandfather had a very special bond. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Barbara Stine and Judi Morville of Decatur, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews and their families.Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2013 at the Goodwine Funeral Home, Robinson and from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23rd at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23rd at the funeral home with Pastor Louis Youngs officiating.Private interment of cremated remains will be held at a later date.Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 520 S. Seventh St, Vincennes, IN or to the Wounded Warrior Project with envelopes at the funeral home.