Ralph Mitchell Wade Sr.

Ralph Mitchell Wade Sr., 82, of Marion, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, surrounded by his family.
 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Messiah Christian Church in Marion, with Pastors Steve Glenn and Lee Woolard officiating. Entombment will be at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy. Visitation will be after 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville. 
 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Austin Wade Foundation. 
 

Ralph was born on August 26, 1942, in Smith County, Tennessee, to Benton Lee and Cleo (Allen) Wade. He married Bonnie Bernice Biggs on September 26, 1961, in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they have shared 63 wonderful years. 
 

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Wade; sons, Ralph Mitchell (Diane) Wade Jr., and Tommy Wade; brother, Roger (Sandra) Wade; sisters, Faye (Dave) Dodson, Sharon (Don) Farmer, and Ann Dogget; grandchildren, Ryne (Jamie) Wade, Brandon (Danielle) Wade, and Taylor Wade; great-grandchildren, Ethan Clark, Kinsley Hubbard, and Damien Kelley; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 
 

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Austin Wade; brother, Kelley Gay; and sisters, Sylvia Lane, Vivian Darlene Flowers, Priscilla Fulton.
 

Ralph honorably served our country in the United States Army. He worked as a crane operator for Union Pacific Railroad for over 30 years. A devoted member of Messiah Christian Church, Ralph served faithfully as a Deacon.
 

He deeply loved his family and cherished time spent outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking.
 

For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com. 

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