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Irvin, Ralph W.
Ralph W. Irvin, 88, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Iowa City VA Health Care Systems. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with the Rev. Beverly Marshall-Goodell officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Ralph William Irvin was born Dec. 12, 1922, in Sharon Center, Iowa, the son of William “Guy” Irvin and Beulah (Allen) Irvin. Growing up in the Tiffin/Oxford area, Ralph graduated from Tiffin High School in 1941. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Second World War. In 1948, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Jean Conklin. Ralph had spent a lifetime in the construction and excavation business, having built a number of homes in this area before becoming one of the co-founders of Iowa City Excavating and Grading, Inc.
He enjoyed a simple man's life, was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball and softball teams, faithful fan of the Chicago Cubs, loved the outdoors, his garden, fishing, throwing horseshoes, bowling in leagues throughout the years, and of course his dogs and cats. Ralph was a man who loved to think things through, always “inventing” something to be better, but the other side of Ralph was the prankster and jokester, he loved to share this side too!
His family includes his five children, Dale Irvin (Dave Johnson) of New Orleans, Dick Irvin (Deb) of Iowa City, David Irvin of Iowa City, Dan Irvin (Jill) of Lafayette, Ind., and Dennis Irvin (Donna) of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Chapman of Earlville and Ethel Chapman of Kingsburg, Calif.; his former wife, Marilyn Irvin of Iowa City; a half brother, Guy Irvin of Iowa City; and his faithful companions, Cindy, Joe, Sissy and Blackie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Dorothy, Helen and Lucille; and his stepmother, Edna Goettle.
Ralph's family would like to thank all at the VA Hospital here in Iowa City for their very professional and compassionate care of Ralph while he was there.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Ralph's memory.
Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at
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