He was born on October 21, 1927, in Ophiem, IL, to William and Edna (Bloomquist) Nelson. He married Juanita Smith on September 5, 1948, in Galesburg. She survives.
Also surviving are his four sons, Terry (Rita) Nelson of Boise, ID, Larry (Sallee) Nelson of Bozeman, MT, and Kendall (Nancy) Nelson and Kevin (Kris) Nelson both of Peoria; a special niece, Suzi (Jack) Pickenbrock of Denver, CO; nine grandchildren, Kristen, Jenna, Michel, Laurel, Grant, Brian, Jeff, Tom and Sam; nine great-grandchildren, Rachel, Abby, Victoria, Justin, Riley, Conner, Gunner, Shelby and Khaliq; and three brothers, Ivan Nelson, Dean (Sandy) Nelson and Carl (Barb) Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill Nelson; and a sister, Dolly Entrekin.
Ralph served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II before being honorably discharged in 1948. He then graduated from Northwestern Dental School in 1955. Ralph opened his own practice and served the Peoria community for over 50 years before retiring. He was highly active in organized dental groups, including the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Peoria District Dental Society, where he served as President in 1967.
He was a longtime member of University United Methodist Church in Peoria, where he held every position possible for a layman, and was listed in the Who's Who directory of the Methodist Church for all the his years of service with the church. Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, Koi Ponds, model railroads and fishing, especially with his longtime fishing buddy, Dr. Bob Richardson. He volunteered many decades with the Boy Scouts. He was most proud of his years as the Eagle Scout Advancement chairman, especially seeing 3 grandsons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Ralph loved to teach scouts to fish at the Cub Scout day camps and was affectionately known as the "Fishing Doc." He was awarded numerous awards throughout his life, including the Silver Beaver Award and the Methodist Torch award. Ralph and Juanita loved their 48 years of annual trips to Maui.
Ralph will be remembered as a wonderful role model who shared through his actions on how to nurture and love a family. He always had the sweetest smile and glint of mischief in his eyes.
A private family service will be held, with burial to follow at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The family would like to thank the staff at Proctor Place Shephard’s Way for the care they gave Ralph.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University United Methodist Church in Peoria. Online condolences can be submitted at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
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