RALPH STAPLETON

McCLURE, Ill. -- Ralph Stapleton, 90, of McClure, died Thursday, June 15, 1995, at Union County Hospital in Anna.

He was born Feb. 4, 1905, in Pope County, son of William Andrew and Nora Ann Fritz Stapleton. He and Helen Davis were married July 24, 1930, in Wickliffe, Ky.

Stapleton worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co. 18 years, retiring in 1970. He then did custodial work at Franklin School 12 years. He also had been a guard at Joliet State Prison, worked at Elgin State Hospital in Elgin, Ill., was an inspector at New Era Dairy in Carbondale, Ill., worked as a custodian for Illinois Central Railroad, and helped build Route 3 with the WPA Work Project.

He was a member of Union Local 974 in East Peoria, Ill., and was a former member of McClure School Board.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mary Fagerburg of Anna; a brother, Oral Stapleton of East Peoria; a grandson, and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel from 5-9 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at United Pentecostal Church in McClure, with the Rev. Greg Morrison officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery.