Ralph Warren Booth

Ralph Warren Booth, 69, of Springfield, IL, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013, at his residence. Born in St. Louis, MO on December 23, 1943, he was the son of the late Gordon and Anna Mae Ralph Booth. On February 26, 1999, he married Arlyn Sherwood. Mr. Booth was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, half-brothers, Terry and Jeffrey Wallander, and his grandson, Monty Booth Hodges. Mr. Booth is survived by Arlyn, his wife of 14 years, three daughters; Patricia (Marty) Booth Hodges of Urbana, Tina (John) Thomas of Bloomington, and Rashell of Danville and their mother, Mary Tschee; grandchildren Mika, Haley, Maggi, Taylor, Clayton, Corinna, and Warren; half-brother Randall (Marsha) Wallander and one half-sister Brenda (Darrel) Tribble. He was partial to driving a crane on river jobs because he enjoyed working on the water. He served as a steward on many of the jobs and mentored many apprentices. He had a lifetime career as an operating engineer for Local 965 for 40 years. Private family services were held before cremation rites were accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Home Services -Hospice, 720 North Bond Street, Springfield, IL 62702. Ralph received excellent care from the staff, especially Regina McLaughlin, RN.