Ralph Kilcoin

Ralph Marion Kilcoin, 79, died Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital from complications of Parkinson's disease. Ralph was born December 17, 1935, one of 10 children of George and Maude (Crofutt) Kilcoin. He left home in O'Neill, NE at an early age and rode the train to Rushville, NE and became the foster son of Rolf and Thelma Frank. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1954. Ralph enlisted in the United States Navy September 15, 1955, and his ports of call included Trinidad, Guantanamo Bay, Naples, Capri, Casablanca, Rio De Janeiro, Stockholm, and Portsmouth, England. In Portsmouth, he met Victoria Collins. They were married in Rushville on October 5, 1958. After being honorably discharged September 11, 1959, he returned to live in Gordon and work for Consumers, later Nebraska Public Power, as an electrician. Later on, he was a self-employed electrician. Ralph was a city council member for 8 years and the vice mayor. He was a member of the Gordon Volunteer Fire Department. For several years, Ralph maintained the ice skating rink in Gordon. He volunteered many hours spraying layers of water to freeze for a smooth finish, scooping off the snow, and starting the bonfire. He won the Aksarben Good Neighbor Award for his commitment to the community. Ralph's favorite hobby was fishing. He had several Master Angler awards. He also enjoyed woodworking, slot machines and poker, finding treasures at auctions, and the morning coffee group. He was a fan of high school rodeo and knew many of the entrants when his grandchildren were participants. Ralph was very generous with his time and talents, always glad to help those he could. Several of his barn wood picture frames were donated for fundraisers. Survivors include his four children: Teresa (Tim) Child, Gordon; Karen (Melvin) Suchy , Tryon, NE; Ken Kilcoin, San Antonio, TX; Gary (Tonia) Kilcoin, Burleson, TX. Also survived by granddaughter-in-law Patty Child, Valley Center, KS; granddaughters Katie (Doug) Pascoe, Lincoln, NE; Jo Morrison, Omaha, NE; Megan (James) Sprague, McCook, NE; Addison Kilcoin, Burleson, TX; grandsons Shane Suchy, Tryon, NE; Carson Kilcoin, Burleson, TX; Jett Kilcoin, San Antonio, TX, and five great grandchildren as well as his brothers and sisters and their spouses, John and Audrey Kilcoin, Pierce, NE; Mary and Jerry Siler, Green River, WY; Jerry and Bernie Kilcoin, Norfolk, NE, and Shirley and Jerry Clayton, Chambers, NE; foster sister Caryl Guilliams, Folsom CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and foster parents; one foster sister; two brothers; three sisters; and a grandson Andy Child. Memorial services were held Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at the Chamberlain-Pier Chapel in Gordon with Pastor Bill Combs officiating. Inurnment will be at the Rushville Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Gordon Volunteer Fire Department, and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.

Service:

Wednesday Sept. 30, 2015 10:00 am

Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home Gordon, NE