Ralph C. Thielbert

Ralph C. Thielbert, 95, of Galesburg, died at 9:55 a.m. Monday, October 29, 2012 at home. Ralph was born February 6, 1917 in Burlington, IA the son of Fred Emil and Florence (Pierson) Thielbert.  He graduated from Corpus Christi High School and attended Quincy College.  He met Lucille Helen Filich, the love of his life, and they were married on May 8, 1935 in Davenport, IA.  Their 77 year marriage brought 6 loving children, Donald, Ralph David (and Terri), Daniel Dean (deceased), Daniel Lee, Rebecca Ann Crumm and Diana Kaye (Paul W.) Long, all of Galesburg. Ralph and Lucille were blessed with 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 9 great great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Carl and Donald Raymond, a son, Daniel Dean; and a granddaughter, Teresa Scott. While Ralph was in high school he played football and was an all-state basketball player.  He carried his love for sports into adulthood, coaching Corpus Christi High School basketball, baseball, and football for 4 years.  He also coached for 30 years at St. Joseph’s Academy.  He started coaching again when he was 88 years old as an assistant coach at Costa Catholic Academy, coaching for 3 years.  Ralph also coached one of the first junior hardball teams in Galesburg.  When the new wooden floor was installed on the basketball court at Costa it was dedicated to Ralph and Jerry Kennedy. Ralph was an Engineer for C.B.&Q. and later BNRR for 41 years, retiring in 1983.  He also owned and operated a billiards hall on South Seminary Street for many years.  He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556. A funeral mass for Ralph will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.  Rev. William T. Miller, IC will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  The rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 2, 2012 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg.  A visitation will follow from 5-7 p.m.  The family requests memorial contributions to be made to American Cancer Society, OSF, or to Corpus Christi Church.