Ralph Heepke

Ralph W. Heepke, 87, died at 3:45 p.m., Monday, October 8, 2012 at Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.Born July 12, 1925, he was a son of the late Henry C. & Mamie (Pape) Heepke.He was raised in Edwardsville, and graduated from Edwardsville High School.  He had a a life long affiliation with farming, first on his parents farm near Edwardsville.  In February of 1953 he moved to a farm near Jerseyville.There he renovated every aspect of the Jersey County farm in a few short years.  He and his family always had a deep sense of pride and loving care for their farm, a farm that has remained in the Heepke family for more than 100 years.Over time and in conjunction with his farm interests, he worked some 24 years for two of the largest livestock brokerage firms with offices in the St. Louis Livestock Exchange Building at National Stockyards in Illinois.He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the J.E.M. Fire Protection Association, where he served on the board of directors and as treasurer for ten years.He married the former Jean M. Taylor of Belleville in 1948 at the Eden United Church of Christ in Edwardsville, and she survives.Also surviving are three daughters, Carla Heepke of Godfrey, Janet Heepke and her husband, Michael Cooke of Alton, and JoAnn and her husband, Joseph Garland of Jerseyville; three grandchildren, Matthew Garland of Jerseyville, Emily Garland, a student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and Michael Cooke II, a student at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo.; a brother & sister in law, Harold & Betty Heepke of Edwardsville; and numerous nieces and nephews; along with a true & dedicated friend, Rose Marie Lauer of Palmyra, Mo.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday.  Rev. Ted Engelsdorfer will officiate.Burial will be in the Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Peace United Church of Christ in Jerseyville, where he was a member.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home