Ralph D. Drinkall

Ralph D. Drinkall, 83, of Rock Island, formerly of Princeton, IA, died Thursday, November 11, 2010 at Select Specialty Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the mortuary. Inurnment will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island, with full military honors. Memorials may be made to D.A.V., Mississippi Valley Blood Center or Prince of Peace Church. Online condolences may be left at www.therungemortuary.com.

Ralph was born December 30, 1926 in Mediapolis, IA, the son of Ralph and Vivian (Paisley) Drinkall. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and WWII. He spent his career as an industrial salesman retiring from Gierke Robinson Company after thirty-five years of service.

He was united in marriage to Irene Meyer on July 24, 1946 in Germany; she preceded him in death on February 1, 2002. Ralph was a devoted volunteer and volunteered at the Blood Center as a driver, also at the Prince of Peace Food Pantry and at the Salvation Army Meal Site.

Those left to honor his memory include his children: R. Michael (Kathy) Drinkall, Bettendorf, Loretta (Floyd) Spencer, Eldridge, Heidi (David) Olson, Rock Island, 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren with three on the way, sister, Kathleen Nelson, Indiana and a brother, Ronnie (Roberta) Martin, Eureka, IL.

His parents, son, TJ, brothers, Bernie Martin and Francis Martin, sisters, Imogene Drinkall and Annalee Welch preceded him in death.