Ralph W. Hehl, 86 of Colfax went to be with the Lord at 1:33pm, Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.

A graveside service will be held at 10am on Monday, December 30, 2013 at Wiley Cemetery, Colfax. Following the graveside there will be a celebration of life for Ralph at 11:00am at Church of Christ, Uniting in Lexington. Pastor Jan Proeber will be officiating.

Visitation will be held from 2-4:00pm on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax and from 9 to 9:45 am on Monday also at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Church of Christ, Uniting in Lexington.

Ralph was born November 29, 1927 in Chicago the son of Harry and Christina A. (Pfieffer)Hehl. He married Marlene Harrell on October 29, 1949 in Chicago. She preceded him in death on January 17, 2012.

Surviving are one daughter, Debra (Ric) Onken of Colfax; one son Larry Hehl of Watervliet, MI; loving daughter in-law, Janet Hehl of Palos Hills, IL; one brother, Elmer Hehl of Champaign; five grandchildren, Jason Andrew(Megan Donald) Onken, Rebecca Lynn (Rob) Conner, Eric Daniel Hehl, Krista Marlene (Jeff) Ziegenhorn, Leah Michelle Hehl, and Josh (Holly) Mathis; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Norah, Ethan, Briana, Brooklynn, Abigail, Aidan and Colin; (to arrive in February).

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and one granddaughter, Amy Onken.

Mr. Hehl served our country in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Sarsfield. He was a member of the Colfax American Legion and Church of Christ, Uniting in Lexington. Ralph loved sports and was a true-blue Chicago Sports Fan. He was past president of the Calumet Park Recreational Association, and it was there that he served as baseball coach and mentor to many youth in the Calumet Park. He was employed by Ryerson Steel in Chicago for over 40 years.