Ralph Edgar Till

Ralph Edgar Till, 85, of South Haven passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at Bronson of South Haven. He was born December 21, 1931 to Leonard and Madge (Treat) Till, Sr. in Bangor. Living most of his life in the Bangor/South Haven area and attending area country schools and Central High. Ralph honorably served his country in the United States Army between the years of ’52 to ’54. During the Korean War, he earned the rank of Sargent First Class. Ralph married Joann Lieske on May 21, 1955 at the First English Lutheran Church.

After returning from the Army, Ralph worked for LaVern Rice exc. until in 1965 he started Ralph “PeeWee” Till Excavating, Inc. which he owned and operated for twenty five years before going to work for Horan Redi Mix and later Consumers Concrete driving their double gravel trains until his retirement in ’96. After his retirement, he still loved to drive dump trucks and bulldozers on occasional jobs.

Ralph was an active member at the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served ushering and counting collections. He was a member of the American Legion, life member of the VFW, and past member and administrator of the Loyal Order of the Moose in South Haven. He was a member of the Flywheelers where he always took his 1957 John Deere tractor for the shows. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife Joann and together they were part of square and round dancing clubs in Bangor in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Ralph’s hobby was his work, but he enjoyed watching the NASCAR and Sprint races on TV all the time. The Big Boy restaurant in South Haven was his favorite place to hang out after retirement where he loved telling jokes and his many life stories to his friends and the staff over a cup of coffee. He loved his family dearly and devoted his life to them. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by his siblings Ruth Heinze, Leonard Jr., and Dallas Till, his great grandson Brylen Glossip, and three beloved cousins; Bernarde & Richard Thomas and Jack Treat.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joann Till of South Haven, his sons Tom Till of Benton Harbor and Marc (Christina) Till of South Haven, seven grandchildren – Mary Till of Paten, Colorado, Leslie Higgins and Kari Till of Holland, Michigan, Jennifer Glossip of Springfield, Missouri, Lacey Wines Till of South Haven, and Matthew and John Till of South Haven, six great grandchildren, Chad, Justice, Aidan, Jemma, Foster, and Deklyn, as well as second cousins, many nieces, nephews, and their families, special neighbors, and good friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM  on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in South haven. Memorial services will follow visitation at 11:00 Am with Pastor Travis Wilson officiating at the church. Military honors will follow the church service. Burial will take place a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post # 49 or the VFW Post #667 all of South Haven.

The family would like to thank the staff at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community and the Heartland Hospice team for the care they provided Ralph over this past year.