PEORIA—Ralph J. Converse, 71, of Peoria, passed away at 3:25 a.m., Sunday, June 9, 2013 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

Ralph was born June 29, 1941, in Akron, OH, to Irving “Cotty” and Ethelyn “Jackie” (Smith) Converse. He married Jane Griffin Bodman on October 17, 1964, in Winnetka, IL. She survives.

He is also survived by his two children, Amy (Andy) Schlicksup and Ted (Kara) Converse, both of Peoria; four grandchildren, Georgia West, Janey Schlicksup, and Sophia and Kate Converse; two step-grandchildren, Jack and Jake Rieger; three brothers, Daniel of Costa Mesa, Calif., Dennis of Aurora, IL, and Roger of Hinkley, IL; his 97-year-old father, Cotty Converse of Ft. Myers, FL; and many loving sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Ralph attended the University of Illinois, where he played centerfield for the Illini. Upon graduating with an engineering degree in 1963, he played semi-pro baseball for several years in Kane County and Evanston, IL. He remained a baseball fan and loyal Illini for over 50 years.

He had a distinguished career with IBM, where he worked for over 32 years before retiring as the Peoria Branch Manager. He also worked as President of Cullinan Properties, followed by nine years as Vice President and General Manager of the Peoria Chiefs.

Throughout his career, he traveled and lived in many places but chose to make Peoria his home. He loved this community and volunteered his time to serve on boards and chair fundraising campaigns for organizations such as the Peoria Zoological Society, United Way (founding member of the Pillars Society), The Salvation Army, Easter Seals, Boy Scouts, and the Economic Development Council.

Ralph was a member of First Federated Church, Country Club of Peoria, and Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club. He was passionate about golf, tennis, baseball, skiing, traveling, enjoying friends and family, and spending time in Tucson, Arizona.

Ralph’s family would like to thank the caregivers at both UnityPoint Health-Methodist and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the special team lead by Dr. Olsson at OSF Hospice Home who helped us through the final days of his journey. Words cannot express our gratitude. Ralph’s warmth, wisdom and passion for life will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at First Federated Church. Dr. Forrest Krummel will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the church. An additional visitation will be from 10 – 10:50 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Wright & Salmon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Way of Central Illinois, 509 W. High Street, Peoria, IL 61606 or OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 N. Illinois, Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.

Stephen “Steve” Davidson Stoddard, 88, died May 24, 2013. World War II veteran, “Battle of the Bulge”soldier, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge recipient, devoted husband and father, Ceramic Engineer Extraordinaire, Justice of the Peace, Los Alamos County Commissioner, three term New Mexico State Senator, Patriot, Statesman, Los Alamos Living Treasure, a friend to all, a connoisseur of fine scotch and a good cigar. Another member of the “Greatest Generation” has left our midst.

Robert E. Duginger (Bob) passed away unexpectedly on the morning April 6, 2013, at the age of 60. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their children, Robbie, Stephen, Emily and John of Irvine. He is also survived by his sister, Mimi Duginger of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Dehner Duginger and Lynn Charles Duginger.

Bob was born on March 20, 1953, in Lincoln, Illinois. He grew up in Middletown, Illinois, and graduated from New Holland-Middletown High School. He graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Illinois where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1978.

He practiced civil litigation defense in Chicago before moving to San Francisco where he represented Travelers Insurance Corporation. Bob and his family moved to Irvine in 1998 where he continued to work in the insurance field including his most recent job as Associate General Counsel at Alta Holdings in Irvine.

Bob was an avid sports enthusiast who cheered on his favorite teams from the Midwest; the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls. On the collegiate level he showed his undying support for his alma mater’s team, the Fighting Illini. In his free time he also enjoyed fishing, golf and tennis. When his children decided to take up soccer he learned the rules and regulations of the sport so that he could become a volunteer referee in their league.

Bob was an active member of St. Thomas More Church in Irvine where he served for many years as an usher and coordinator of the altar server program. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. In 2012 Bob and Kathy were invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Bob’s greatest accomplishment was his family. He was a devoted husband and father, and family always came first. His loyalty and strength of character led to strong friendships that lasted his entire life. He always dreamed of retiring to a house on a lake where he could fish every day, but now he has retired to a place far better.

A memorial service in Chicago will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in memory of Bob be made to the following organizations:
• Life Teen Missions – http://lifeteen.com/
Please make checks payable to Life Teen Missions. Send checks to:
LifeTeen, Inc.
13416 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Attn: Jon Givens

• Knights of Columbus
Please make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Council #13111. Send checks to:
St. Thomas More Church
51 Marketplace
Irvine, CA 92602
Attn: Steve Luchetta

• Brotherhood of Blessed Gerard – bbg.org.za

Note from Tom Krzeczowksi ’72:

William H. ‘Bill’, ‘Billy’ Wendling ’72, died March 14, 2013 at age 63. Billy was born October 10,1949 in Elmhurst, IL. While growing up he lived in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, IL. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1973 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Physical Education. This was followed by a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology at Colorado State University.

Richard Heath ’54 was a retired businessman and Golf Course Development Consultant for Golf Technologies, a Golf Course Design Company. Mr. Heath graduated High School in Robinson, IL. went on to Duke University for two years on a basketball scholarship and later transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated and was a member and Worthy Master of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Dick joined the Military serving in France in 1953-1954 as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Dick returned to Robinson and joined in the family business, eventually becoming Vice President of L. S. Heath and Sons until 1969. For his many contributions and countless hours of promotion, Mr. Heath was made an Honorary Life member of the Quail Creek Country Club, Robinson, IL.