Ralph E. Kahly, 84, of Dakota, passed away peacefully, Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Provena St. Joseph Nursing Center.

Born July 19, 1928 in Damascus he was the son of Logan and Hazel (Winchell) Kahly. He married Evelyn J. Hodgin September 24, 1950 in Lena. He was a 1946 graduate of Dakota High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving from 1950 to 1952.

Ralph retired from the maintenance department at Kelly Springfield Tire Company October 1, 1990.
He was a member of McConnell United Methodist Church.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed working word search puzzles, his raspberry patch, and feeding the birds.

Surviving is his wife, Evelyn of Dakota; his children, Donna (Dale) Andrews of Dakota, Ralph Kahly Jr. of Hainesville, Rick (Diane) Kahly of Freeport, Cheryl (Bill Neuenschwander) Ripp of Monroe, Wisconsin, and Randy (Candy) Kahly of Manchester, Iowa; his son-in-law, Rich (Peg) Bockover of Livermore, California; 18 grandchildren, Don, Derek and Dustin Mesch, Dawn Hastings, Brian and Steven Bockover, Michael, Samantha, Brooke, Morgan, Chelsie and Alex Kahly, Brandi Hoesly, Lucas Bowers, Jeremy and Brian Ripp, Jen Thomas, and Sean Frost; three step grandchildren, Jay (Michelle) Andrews, Tom Andrews, and Paula (Brian) Schoenhardt; 18 great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; his sister, Lois Thrasher of Lena; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Peggy Ann Bockover; his great granddaughter, Kristina Mesch; three brothers, George, Lowell, and Paul Kahly; three sisters, Kathryn Kahly, Bertha DeZell, and Carol Dameier.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2013, at McConnell United Methodist Church with Reverend Doo Soo Lee officiating. Burial will be in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2013 at McConnell United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.