Decatur Herald & Review
DECATUR — Ralph A. Linder , 84, of Pekin, passed away at 11:37 a.m., Friday, February 4, 2011 at Pekin Hospital. He was formerly of Decatur.
Born February 10, 1926 in Decatur to Ralph W. and Maude R. (Allen) Linder , he married Mary V. Singleton on August 15, 1948 in Decatur. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Judy A. (Stuart) Holder of Pekin; one son, David W. Linder and two grandchildren, Justin C. Holder of Waukesha, WI and Megan E. Holder of Peoria.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James A. Linder .
A 1944 graduate of Decatur High School, Ralph was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran, serving from May 24, 1944 until October 29, 1945. He attained the rank of Corporal.
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Millikin University in Decatur. Millikin recently honored him with the Alumni Loyalty Award in 2010. He also was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
Ralph worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 32 years first in Decatur and then in Peoria, retiring in 1988 from their data processing department.
Ralph was truly community minded. He was a charter member and past president of the Decatur Chapter of AMBUCS. He also was a member of the AMBUCS’ Big Hat Club, an internal club which recognized members who recruited at least three new AMBUCS members. Over the years, he earned several stars for his Big Hat.
He also helped found the Easter Seals chapter in Decatur. He served Easter Seals as treasurer, president, and also a two-year term on the Illinois State Board of Governors.
He was a life and 60-year member of Ionic Lodge #312, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois in Decatur. He also was a lifetime emeritus member of the Institute of Management Accountants, a group he has belonged to since 1966. He was a member and past president of the Pekin Community Concerts Association. Ralph was a 20-year member and past president of the Rotary Club of Pekin and was honored in 2008 as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Ralph was a faithful member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where he was a former member of the Hospitality Committee.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.
Obituary written by family members.