Ralph Chitty

Ralph Louis Chitty, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1915, son of Mary E. Chitty. He and Eleanor McLain Mills were married Feb. 1, 1947. She died Nov. 15, 1990.

Ralph graduated from Fornfelt High School in 1933. He retired from Cotton Belt Railroad as a conductor.

He was a longtime member of Centenary United Methodist Church, past president of Cape County Association for Retarded Citizens and VIP Industries, and member of Missouri Planning Council for Retarded Citizens under Govs. Joe Teasdale and Christopher Bond. He was president of the Foundation Board of Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, life member of VFW, member of American Legion, St. Mark's Masonic Lodge, York Rite Bodies and Moolah Shrine Temple.

Ralph served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific and European theaters in the coast artillery and infantry. He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, combat infantry badge, and other awards.

Survivors include a stepson and daughter-in-law, Billy and Betty Mills; a daughter, Marilyn Chitty, all of Cape Girardeau; two stepgrandchildren, Linda Burnette of Jackson, Pamela Campbell of Seminole, Fla.; three great-stepgrandchildren, Zachary Burnette, Nicole and Eric Campbell.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A Masonic service will be held at 7.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Dr. Clayton Smith and the Rev. Jim Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with military graveside rites by Missouri Military Honor Guard.

The family requests memorials to Centenary United Memorial Fund, Cape County Association for Retarded Citizens, or American Heart Association.