Ralph Rumfelt

Ralph Rumfelt, 74, of Jackson passed away Thursday, July 27, 2006, in Jackson.

He was born Aug. 31, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., son of Robert E. and Agnes Hatley Rumfelt. He and Joyce Barbee Chuhran were married April 8, 1966, in Wayne County, Missouri. She passed away Feb. 7, 2006.

On Feb. 4, 1952, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged Nov. 4, 1953, as a sergeant. During the service to his country he was assigned to Battery C 999th Field Artillery Battalion. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Korean Presidential Citation, and U.N. Service Medal, among others.

Ralph was a mechanic for Firestone and Detroit Diesel in Detroit, and after moving to Jackson in 1973 he worked for Firestone in Cape Girardeau and Marty's Blacksmith in Shawneetown.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Shannon Rumfelt of Jackson; a daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Randy Martin of Midland, Texas; a stepson, Terry Chuhran of Green Oak, Mich.; a sister, Ruth Ann Barbaris of Florida; three grandchildren, Trevor Dylan Rumfelt, Chris and Jenny Martin; two stepgrandchildren, Scott Chuhran, and Stacey Kimble; two great-stepgrandchildren, Amanda and Katelyn Kimble.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by three siblings, Howard, Arlene and Delores; and a stepdaughter-in-law, Linda Chuhran.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Eric Snyder officiating. Interment will follow in High Hill Cemetery near Neelys Landing, with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to American Cancer Society.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.