Charles Ralph March

 

Charles Ralph March, 87, of Palmyra passed away Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born May 3, 1937 in Carlinville the son of Charles R. and Doris Stults March.

He married Martha Ross on Sept. 21, 1995 in Corpus Christi, TX and she survives.

Ralph served in the United States Army Reserve for 6 ½ years. He had a 39-year career with the Illinois Department of Public Heath, retiring as Bureau Chief of Immunization. He served on the Macoupin County Health Board for 40 years, helping to establish the initial board.

Ralph served as a Palmyra Village Trustee for 23 years and Village Mayor for 16 years. He served on the Carlinville Area Hospital Board & Foundation for 17 years, during which time a new Hospital and medical office were erected. He was a longstanding active member of American Legion Post 1034.

Ralph is survived by two sons, Travis (Carolyn) March of Rochester, Jared (Stacey) March of Palmyra; step-son, Neil (Amy) Harvey of Springfield; step-daughter, Gretchen (Andrew) Gahr of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sydney, Christina, Autumn and Giuseppe; seven step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Gary (Bev) March of Carlinville; nieces, Angela March, Amanda March, and six half-sisters and one half-brother.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles March, his mother, Doris Clark, his sister, Kay Scott, and nephew Eric Moore.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10 am to 12 pm on February 22 at the Palmyra Municipal Building. A short service and burial at Oak Hill Cemetery will follow.

Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Post 1034 in Palmyra or the Northwestern Food Pantry.

Stults-Neece Funeral Home in Palmyra is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be left online at airsman-hires.com.