RALPH ROBERT WHITE JR

Ralph Robert White, Jr (81) of Neoga, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 after a long battle with Myelofibrosis.  Ralph was born on November 28, 1942 in Springfield, Illinois.  At the age of five, the family moved to Neoga where he grew up and graduated from Neoga High School in 1960.  Following graduation, Ralph enlisted in the Army and served for three years.  He worked as a typist during the pre-Vietnam era, stationed in Hawaii.  He attended Eastern Illinois University and then transferred to the University of Illinois earning a degree in aeronautical engineering.  He skipped graduation day to marry his loving wife of 55 years, Martha, on June 15, 1968.  They moved to Seattle, Washington where he was employed by Boeing to work on their historic 747 - the largest civilian airplane at that time.  During his time in Seattle, he purchased and ran the model airplane company, Fliteglas Models.  Moving back to Neoga to be closer to family, Ralph and Martha lived just south of Neoga, before moving into town in 2022.  In 1983, Ralph sold his model business and entered into the rental business, which he continued to run with the help of his son, Nick.

Whether cruising the Caribbean with friends, traveling to Arkansas to watch the outhouse races, driving to Memphis to catch Old Crow Medicine Show, or cheering on the Harlem Globetrotters, Ralph was known for his many adventures.  He was always having fun and loved to tell stories of his various escapades growing up.  He made many memories with his family and friends through his many hobbies.  For a time, he raced odysseys and off-roaders.  He ran numerous 5K’s and even completed a full marathon.  Many weekends, you could find him out at Lake Mattoon skiing, tubing, or pulling wakeboarders.  He also enjoyed playing banjo with the Illinois Old-Time Fiddlers and the Ache’n Back String Band.

Flying R.C. model airplanes was one of Ralph’s greatest passions throughout his life.  He had shelves full of trophies displayed at home.  He won his first trophy in high school for the Best Crash.  His other prized trophies included his 1978, 1st Place Open for RC Sport Scale at the Nationals (NATS) and his #1 Grandpa Pilot trophy for the NATS last summer.
Ralph always focused on providing the best he could for his wife and his family.  He worked tirelessly to make sure they were well provided for.  He took great joy in the accomplishments of his children and their families.  He often bragged about his grandchildren and was always determined to provide them with amazing memories that would last a lifetime.  

Ralph is survived by his wife, Martha (Kremer) of Neoga, Illinois; his son Nick White and his wife, Jenny, of Mattoon, Illinois; daughter, Ann Crawford, and her husband, Keith, of Terre Haute, Indiana; three grandchildren, Nate, Ella, and Addison; brother, Ronnie White (Sue) of Effingham, Illinois; sister, Cheryl Randolph (Gene) of Varna, Illinois; along with numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.  Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph R. White, Sr and Estelle Lorraine White, both from Neoga.

Memorials may be made to the Tri-County R. C. Club.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 26th at St. Mary’s Church in Neoga, IL.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday March 25th at the Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home of Neoga.  Burial will be in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors by the Neoga American Legion.
Online condolences may be expressed at swengel-odell.com

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