Ralph A. Lewis

Ralph A. Lewis, age 88 of 2207 Spruce, died Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. in Blessing Hospital. He was born May 25, 1919 in Quincy, Illinois the son of John W. and Ollie Pearl Jones Lewis. On August 9, 1950 he married Donna Lampe in Quincy. She survives. Ralph graduated from Quincy High School in 1937, then attended Quincy College and also worked as an announcer at WTAD Radio in Quincy. He graduated from Quincy College in 1941 and was drafted into the Army for WWII, joining the 1st Calvary Division. Because of his radio experience he was assigned to the 1st Signal Company as a field radio operator, but he was later accepted into Armed Forces Radio, working at radio stations in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, he returned to Quincy and radio. He worked at KHQA-TV and was especially remembered as the "Dandee Bread Man" on commercials during the show "Badge 714". He started teaching English at Q.H.S. in 1959 but continued with radio and TV, mostly on a part time basis, for a total of 35 years, retiring in 1975. He retired from teaching in 1982. Ralph was a member of 1st Union Congregational Church, serving on various committees for many years. In addi...[more]

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n to his wife, survivors include six children: Susan Ladley and her husband Carl of South Lake Tahoe, CA; Robert A. Lewis and his wife Debra of Kentfield, CA; Debra Cane and her husband Stephen of Quincy; Julia Askew and her husband Carl of Quincy; Steven R. Lewis and his wife Carol of Quincy; Lynette McAliney and her husband Jim of Mountain Home, AR; 14 grandchildren: Ryan, Matthew, and John Lewis of Kentfield, CA; Christina and Michael Cane of Quincy; Scott Piner of Waukegan, IL; Amanda and Andrea Piner, Carlie Askew, and Lilly and Jack Lewis all of Quincy; Jessica, John, and Kevin McAliney of Mountain Home, AR; two cousins: David Lee and his wife Ann of Michigan and Carolyn Holder of Washington, numerous nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law, Jeanette Kamper of Freeburg, IL, and Margery Vandament of Signal Hill, CA.. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Myron and John, a granddaughter Angela Piner, a son-in-law Stephen Piner, and a sister-in-law Harriet Weber. Services will be Monday at 1 pm in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Wentzel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 - 7 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Memorials made to First Union Congregational Church or charity of the donors choice in his name would be appreciated.