Ralph E. Wade Jr.

Ralph was born July 22, 1953 in Peoria, Illinois to Ralph E. and Betty Lou (Blaine) Wade. He married Diana L. Mullen on August 14, 1976 in Peoria. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Robert Ernest Wade and Michael Leroy Wade.

Surviving is his wife, Diana of South Pekin; his mother, Betty of Peoria; three children, Jim (Shana) Wade of Macomb, Dawn (Becky Rigney) Wade of Pekin and April (Andrew) Rehn of Mapleton; five grandchildren, Katelynn, Austin, Madison, Cody and Adailynn; one great-granddaughter, Alayia and six siblings, Patty (Walt) Jatkowski, David Wade, Charles Wade, James Wade, Martha Pollitt and Betty Lorenc.

He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1974. He was the owner and operator of Wade’s Sandblasting and Painting for several years and then worked the last 17 years with G & D Trucking in various capacities, but working last as the shop manager. Ralph was also a member of V.F.W. Post 1232 in Pekin.

Ralph will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.

A funeral service will be on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 4:00 pm with visitation from 1:00 pm until the start of the service. The Rev. Larry and Cindy Cravens will officiate. Cremation will be accorded following the service. Davison-Fulton Woolsey Funeral Home in Pekin is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Loyola Liver Foundation in Maywood, Illinois or to the Fisher House in Hines, Illinois.