Ralph Bleavins

Funeral services will be 12:00 P.M., Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL, with visitation two hours prior to service time at the funeral home. The Reverend Mike Pritts will conduct the service. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL, with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard.Memorials may be made to Second Church of God, Decatur, IL.Ralph was born in Leroy, IL, July 28, 1920, the son of Harry and Laura (Sands) Bleavins. He married Nora Whitehouse on November 4, 1939. Surviving are his sons John and wife Scherlyn, Mark and wife Cindy of Decatur, James and wife Susan of Cerro Gordo and David of Calabasas, CA; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister Nora Hamlow of Jacksonville, FL.Ralph was a member of the American Legion. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Carpenters Master on the USS Monticello Troop Ship. Ralph coached for the Silver Glove and Golden Gloves for five years, assisting four Silver Glovers to win the National Championship Award USA. Ralph enjoyed singing Gospel songs, and fishing when possible.Ralph pastored the Hillcrest Church of God in Decatur from 1986 until retirement. He also served the Milmine Church, Milmine, IL, the Greenswitch Church of God, and the West Decatur Church of God, in Decatur, IL. Ralph was a member of Second Church of God.Ralph served on several commissions for the Churches of God of North America and on the Church of God Foundation for several years. Ralph was a charter member of the U.A.F.L. Grain Millers Union, Local 103. He retired from ADM after 42 years, and worked for ADM Renovation from 1983 to 1994.Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nora and son Ralph Jr., four brothers, one sister, and two grandsons.A special thanks to Decatur Memorial Home Care and their dedicated nurses.Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com. "
}