Ralph N. Warner

Born October 15, 1931 in Pekin to Clinton Oliver and Marian Elizabeth (Frohling) Warner, he married Beverly J. Creighton on October 5, 1952 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Judy L. Warner of Sterling and Cheryl A. (Cary) Robinson of Pekin; one son, Gregory C. (Diane) Warner of Shelbyville, Indiana; one grandson, Mark Warner of Shelbyville, Indiana; one granddaughter, Cassie (Justin) Murray of North Pekin; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert (Beverley) Warner of Atlanta, Georgia and Ramon (Joyce) Warner of Dunnellon, Florida.

His parents and one brother, James Warner, preceded him in death.

He was a 1950 graduate of Pekin Community High School and received his Associates degree from Lee Junior College in Baytown, Texas.

A United States Army veteran of the Korean War, he served from January 23, 1951 to January 23, 1954. He attained the rank of Sergeant.

Bus worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 30 years, retiring in 1992 as a millwright. He also was a carpenter for many years.

He was a member and past board member of First Baptist Church of Pekin and member and past president of the Pekin Lions Club. He also was a member of Pekin Civic Chorus, Celestial City Campers, Pekin Barbershop Chorus, Caterpillar Chorus, and United Autoworkers Local #974 in East Peoria. He was a former member of the Pekin Jaycees and Carpenters Local #644 of Pekin. He was a volunteer with the Pekin Police Department's Citizens On Patrol and volunteer escort at Pekin Hospital. He had been a Kids Hope USA mentor at Jefferson School in Pekin.

Bus enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing, wood carving, and furniture making. He loved helping others whenever needed. He made seven mission trips to Mexico to help build churches, one to Slovakia, and participated in several projects in the United States.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at First Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Mark D. Friday will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp of Champions USA, 3009 Broadway Road, Pekin, IL 61554 or Peoria Rescue Mission, 601 Southwest Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602.