Ralph Eugene Hall, 87, died Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Mount View Care Center, Wausau under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Ralph was born December 29, 1928 in Janesville to the late Norman and Adeline (Suelflow) Hall. He graduated from the Boy's Trade and Technical School in Milwaukee. Ralph enlisted in the US Army and served honorably during the Korean War with the 23rd Infantry of the 2nd Indianhead Division. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Held, on September 25, 1954 at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. Ralph was a gifted Tool & Die Maker and worked for Milwaukee Machine Products for over 40 years before retiring.
Ralph was a very humble, soft-spoken man who loved to laugh. He and Dorothy loved to dance, being nicknamed "Fred and Ginger" and teaching his daughter, Mary, also to dance. In his free time he thoroughly enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling.
Much of his life was dedicated to his brothers-in-arms. Ralph was a proud member of the VFW for over 60 years, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He and Dorothy were very active in the 23rd Infantry of the 2nd Indianhead Division of the years, with Ralph wholeheartedly supporting Dorothy's time as President of the 2nd Infantry Division Auxiliary. One of his greatest joys in life was participating in the September 2012 Never Forgotten Honor Flight with his son-in-law, Dennis Demos, as his guardian.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Dorothy; daughter, Mary (Dennis) Demos of Cincinnati, OH; granddaughters, Jennifer (Jake) Bertrand of Cincinnati, OH and Laura (fiancé, Cody Cuellar) Demos of Plano, TX; great-grandson, Lee James Bertrand; extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave, Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 16 at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; resuming on Friday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service. Ralph will be buried with military honors at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI in a private committal. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
A special word of thanks and appreciation goes to the nurses and staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Rennes Health and Rehab and Aspirus VNA Home Health for your kind and compassionate care for Ralph. Also, thank you to all of Ralph and Dorothy's special friends through the years.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the 2nd Infantry Division Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 218, Fox Lake, IL 60020), St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105), Never Forgotten Honor Flight (P.O. Box 5056, Wausau, WI 54402-5056) or to Trinity Lutheran Church (501 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401).