Ralph A. Bush

He was born Feb. 2,1918 in Madison Lake, MN. The son of Charles E. and Oritha Russell Bush. He married Marjorie Brumbaugh in 1941 in Roswell,NM.

Mr. Bush was a graduate of Augusta,WI. High School and received a degree in Commerce and Finance from Bucknell University in 1940.

He entered military service in 1941 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and instructed at the Air Force advanced flying school and was later assigned to the 34th Bomb Group 8th Air Force in 1944 where he flew 20 missions in B24’s and 10 in B17’s. He was assigned to Smyrna Air Force Base from 1944 until his discharge in 1945. He worked for Kemper Insurance Co. for five years before being recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He became the Commanding Officer of the 170th Fighter Squadron, Springfield which later became the 183rd Fighter Wing. He became the first Illinois Assistant Adjudant General for Air in 1978 and retired in 1984.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Eighth Air Force Historical Society, Retired Officers Association, 34th Bomb Group Association, Chatham American Legion, Elks Lodge 158, Illinois National Guard Association, U.S. National Guard Association, Academy of Lifelong Learning and Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; son, Charles(wife,Judy) Bush of Peoria; daughter, Susan (husband, Sanford)Carnahan of Menlo Park,CA.;1 granddaughter 2 grandsons, 1 great granddaughter and 1 great grandson.

Cremation has been accorded and graveside services will be held 2:00pm Friday Mar. 9,2007 at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Friends may call Friday Mar. 9, 2007 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel from 4 to 7:00pm. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday Mar. 10, 2007 at First United Methodist Church- Downtown with Rev. Dan Seibert officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the D.A.V. Charitable Service Trust, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati,OH. 45250-0301.