Ralph E. Geesey

Ralph was born April 15, 1932 in Morrison, IL, the son of Clair and Mildred (Nelson) Geesey. He grew up in rural Whiteside County, IL, attending country schools. At a young age he went to work full time on the family farm. He grew to love farming, and the skills and work ethic he would develop in those days would serve him well throughout his life. A memorial fund has been established for the Laurel Street Community Church, in memory of Ralph.

A few years later, Ralph enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean War. Following his time in the Army, Ralph married Joyce Holly. They would go on to have one son, and celebrate more than 30 years of marriage, before Joyce’s untimely passing in 1996. Not long after, Ralph was fortunate enough to find another special lady; Betty (Hartman) Frederick. But this was no mere stroke of luck. In fact, it was Joyce who (perhaps not so subtly) had planted the idea in Ralph’s head that Betty would make a fine partner after Joyce was gone. Betty, oblivious to this, was at the time focused on caring for her mother, and wasn’t sure she was ready to date, but Ralph was undeterred! He offered his time to Betty with kind favors, and eventually earned a date. On April 22, 2000, he and Betty were married, and they spent the rest of Ralph’s life at each-others’ side.

Throughout his life, Ralph worked a number of odd jobs including farming and plumbing, and owned a Sunoco gas station in Chadwick, for a few years. But it was his more than 16 years of service to the city of Mt. Carroll, as the sexton of Oak Hill cemetery, that brought him the most pride. He cared for those grounds like they were his own, with a meticulous and loving dedication.

In his free time, Ralph enjoyed a good western and loved to draw, often on pieces of scrap paper or cardboard; whatever he could get his hands on, really. But it was his family that occupied most of his time, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. He was quite the jokester with all the children in his life, and loved to make people laugh and smile. He’d carry out practical jokes and silly, loving teasing, and made a habit of leaving sweet little poems for his beloved Betty. He was fond of saying that he wanted to make someone smile every day!

Ralph will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty; son, Randy (Brenda) Geesey; step-sons, David (Janet) Frederick, Kurt (Rita) Frederick, and Jeffrey (Ann) Frederick; step-daughter, Karen (Joel) Medendorp; nine grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way!); and sister-in-law, Vicki Geesey. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Mildred; first wife, Joyce; and brother, Alvin Geesey.