Ralph R. Voigts

Ralph R. Voigts, 79 of Cornell went home to be with the Lord at 12:40PM on Nov. 22, 2009 surrounded by his family.

Memorial visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 - 7PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home with memorial services held at 7PM at the funeral home. Full military honors will be conducted by the Cornell American Legion.

Born, May 28, 1930 in Streator, IL to Albert and Mary Gladys Stogdill Voigts. He married Louise Melvin Voigts on June 9, 1951. They had 5 children, Son, Greg Voigts of Huston, TX, Daughter, Carolyn (Frank) Kopel of Springfield, IL, Son, Jeff (Karen) Voigts of Mansfield, TX, Daughter, Sherry (Brian) Friedman of Pontiac, Daughter, Lisa Leonard of Streator. He then married Brenda Johnson Voigts on May 2, 1985. They had 4 children, Sons, Christopher Voigts of Cornell, Matthew Voigts of Normal, Daughter, Sarah Voigts of Cornell, Son, Aubrey Voigts of Cornell. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, Sister, Jean Zuker of S. Bend, IN, several nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Son, David, sister, JoAnn Harcar, and brothers, Jack and Wayne.

He attended Streator Grade schools and graduated Streator High School in 1948. He graduated from IVCC , summa cum laude in 1983. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U.S. Army and was a lifetime member of the Cornell American Legion and a member of the N.R.A. (National Rifle Association). He was a member of the Cornell United Methodist Church and served on the church board of directors. Ralph enjoyed flying and was a private pilot and a member of the E.A.A (Experimental Aircraft Association). Ralph farmed and fed cattle in the Cornell area for many years. He retired from United Airlines as a special equipment engineer-mechanic. Of the many things that Ralph accomplished, his passion was his business. He owned and operated Voigts manufacturing Company in Streator, IL for over 45 years. Ralph designed, engineered, and manufactured tire changing and recycling equipment and held several patents. The equipment that he manufactured changed the tire handling and recycling industries world-wide.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family for his children's education.