Ralph H. Boelk, 93, of Mendota passed away peacefully February 24, 2018 in his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Chubb officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be Friday from 3-7 p.m., in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Ralph was born January 30, 1925 in South Wayne, WI. to William and Maria (Krupke) Boelk. He married Mabel Randecker January 23, 1949 in Kent.

Ralph enlisted in the Marine Corp at 17 during WWII serving in the Pacific from September 9, 1942 until October 23, 1945 participating in action at Guadacanal, Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. After returning home he married and started a trucking company. He joined the Marine Corp Reserve in Rockford being called up August 21, 1950 to participate in the Korean Conflict and discharged August 4, 1951. While serving he was with the 1 ^st Marine Division 1 ^st Batallion 7 ^th Regiment Weapons Company and participated in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign losing a brother-in-law Paul R. Reynolds of Pearl City. Upon discharge he returned to his trucking company and eventually moved to Mendota working for Rubin Brew Trucking in Ottawa until 1962 when he began R.H. Boelk Truck Lines working there until retiring and his sons David and Randy taking over. After he retired he continued helping at the company office until shortly before his death. His joys in life were his family, the Marine Corp, fishing, playing cards and gardening in that order. He was a lifetime member of Mendota VFW Post 4079 and St. John's Lutheran Church.

He his survived by three daughters Pamela (Larry) Davies of Lacon, Nancy (Jeff) Hochstatter and Lori (Matt) Etzbach both of Mendota; three sons Jeff Boelk, Randy Boelk and David (Jennifer) Boelk all of Mendota; sister Ruth Vincent of Reynoldsburg, OH.; 5 grandsons; 12 granddaughters; and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2008, son Dennis, 3 brothers Harold, Leo and Frank, sister Hazel DeVoe, grandsons Matthew and Dennis Boelk, granddaughter Heather Hochstatter, and daughter in law Pamela (Deming) Boelk.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or Mendota VFW Post 4079.