Ralph Edward Karnes

Ralph Edward Karnes, 72, of Hillsboro, IL passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at his residence in Hillsboro, IL.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Karnes' residence, 1311 Ash Street in Hillsboro, IL.  Rev. James Hayes, Pastor of St. James Baptist Church, will officiate.  Military rites will be accorded by VFW Post 1306 and American Legion Post 425.  A gathering will follow at the residence.  Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home, Hillsboro, IL is assisting the family.

Ralph was born on July 1, 1943 in Columbus, OH, to Ralph H. and Pearl M. (Marks) Karnes.  He was a 1961 graduate of Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, IL.  He attended three years of college at SIUE.  He married Sharon Chumley on September 24, 1972 in Taylor Springs, IL.  Ralph served three years in the United States Army, where he was a paratrooper.  Ralph was a coal miner and a coal mine inspector for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). He was a member of Hillsboro Moose Lodge #1377 and a member of the American Legion Post #153.  He was an avid coin collector, hunter, scuba diver, fisherman and Brown Belt in Tae Kwon Do.   

Ralph is survived by his wife, Sharon, sister, Diane (husband George) Cerutti of Irving, IL; step-sisters, Peggy (husband Roger) Whitehouse and Evelyn German, both of Hillsboro, IL; and many Brothers-in-laws and Sisters-in-laws.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded by his parents; step-father, Martin Hayes; brother Harold Kinder; step-sister, Kay Fraelle; half-sister, Lyn Veach; and nephew, Steve Kinder.

Memorials are suggested to Montgomery County Cancer Association or PAWS Care.

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