Ralph Oakley Obituary

TUSCOLA - Ralph M. Oakley Sr., 80, of rural Tuscola died 6:11 a.m. Sunday (Aug. 21, 2005) in his home. Private family services will be Tuesday in Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola, with the Rev. Scott Zorn officiating. No visitation. Burial will be in Tuscola Township Cemetery. Memorials: Loncolnland Hospice Unit. Mr. Oakley was born June 30, 1925, in Jewitt, the son of Jess and Edna Light Oakley. He was a retired construction superintendent for S.J. Groves Construction Co. in Minneapolis, Minn. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was a member of the Litchfield Masonic Lodge 236 in Hillsboro and the Ansar Shrine in Springfield. He married Margie J. Knupp on Aug. 27, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark. Surviving are his wife; sons, Ralph Oakley Jr. and wife Iris of Zionsville, Ind.; Roger Oakley and wife Sheila of St. James, Mo.; Mark Oakley and wife Cindy of LeRoy; daughters, Diane Bierman and husband Jim of Tuscola; Connie Woolsey and husband Dan of Champaign; Debbie Briggs and husband Marty of Tuscola; brother, Vernon Oakley of Toledo; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and five sisters. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/LegacyHome.asp