Ralph A. Goeckner (88) of Effingham
Published on January 2 2019 8:43 am
Ralph A. Goeckner, 88, of Effingham, IL, passed away Monday, December 31, 2018 at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
Memorials may be made to the DAV, VFW, American Legion, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.
Ralph was born on January 26, 1930, at Bishop Creek, the son of George and Rosa (Beckman) Goeckner. He married Joan Barlage on December 29, 1954, and she survives.
During the Korean Conflict, he served his country as an Army Sergeant for Company K, 179th Infantry Regiment, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal with Letter “V” device for heroic achievement.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Joan ‘Sis”; 5 children, Linda Bean, Lori (Buck) Wendte, Kent (Susan) Goeckner, Lisa (Kevin) Sieben, and David (Kai) Goeckner; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, Virgil and Clete (Judy); sister, Marcella Burford; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Carl; brothers, Ambrose and Adolph; sisters, Florence Schumacher, Laura Apke, and Alvena “Sister Mary Wilma” Goeckner.