Ralph Lee Vail, 90 of Effingham, passed away Monday morning, March 26, 2018 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Effingham with burial in Oakridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham and for one hour prior to funeral services, Friday morning at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Gideons International. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerfh.com .

Ralph was born May 30, 1927 near Beecher City, the son of Walter and Jessie (Workman) Vail. On March 12, 1948, he married Florence Lucille Smith and she preceded him in death on March 5, 2018. Ralph served with the United States Navy from June 1945 to August 1946. He spent many years actively serving in various ministries within the church; he filled the pulpit at area churches. Ralph's family was important to him, and he enjoyed the time they were able to share together.

Ralph is survived by his son, Rick (Bev) of Salem and Rex (Karla) of Symsonia, KY; daughter, Candi (Robert) Foster of Albuquerque, NM; 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brothers, Gary (Jane) of Fort Mills, SC and Darrell of Altamont; sisters, Mary Kienitz of Grand Junction, CO, Eva Davidson of Carmi and Lois (Jimmy) Smith of O'Fallon.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 70 years, Florence; brothers, Robert, Kenneth, Donald and Richard and sister, Virginia Holland.