Ralph H. Emmerich, 91, passed away at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 at his home in rural Wheeler.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Island Grove with burial in the church cemetery with military graveside rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday evening at the church, with a 5:30 p.m. parish wake service. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Ralph was born January 20, 1922 in Jasper Co., the son of Andrew and Anna (Meinhart) Emmerich. He married Helen A. (Bierman) on May 5, 1948 and she preceded him in death in 2003. Ralph was a dairy farmer, a member of St. Isidore Parish and the Dieterich American Legion Post #628. He served with the United States Army in WWII, where he received a Bronze star.

Ralph is survived by four sons, Ronald of Marengo, Larry, Tom and John (Monica) all of rural Wheeler; three daughters, Sandy (Richard) Underwood of Springfield, Marilyn (Alan) Buscher of Teutopolis and Kathy (Gary) Buscher of Teutopolis; two brothers, Oliver and Charles "Bob", both of Wheeler; sister, Theresa Willenborg of Decatur; brother-in-law, Harry Bierman of Effingham; sister-in-law, Mildred Koester of Effingham; fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; five brothers, Edward, Vincent, Franklin, infant brother, Andrew and Gene; six sisters, Helen Murry, Blanche Carter, Annie Stuckey, Judy Street, Margaret Riemer and Evelyn Castle.