Ralph Gingles

MADISON--Ralph A. Gingles, passed away February 19, 2014 at home after several years of deteriorating health. Ralph was born in Ashland, WI on April 22, 1928 to Arthur and Lena (DeBriyn) Gingles. He will long be remembered, loved, and missed.

He is lovingly survived by his wife Beverly; daughters Christie (MN) and Lisa (Javier Meneses of Madison); sisters Rita (David B.) Johnson of Ozark, MO and Kathleen Hamblin of Baxter, MN; grandsons Ignacio (Bogota, Colombia); Domingo (Chicago, IL) and Gustavo Meneses (Madison), sister-in-law Shirley Gingles; cousins; nieces and nephews and their children; and his loving dog Duchess. Preceding Ralph in death were two brothers, Earle and Robert.

Ralph had strong ties to Northern WI, spending his early years on the family farm on Sanborn Ave, Ashland. Ralph maintained the family homestead until 2008 when it was sold. His grandfather, Alexander Gingles, was a prominent pioneer of Ashland County.

Ralph married Betty M. Hauger in 1952, living in Duluth MN. During their marriage his daughter Christie Ann was born. After 8 years the marriage ended.

In 1966 he wed Beverly B. (Woof) Hardon of Madison, who was widowed, and to make his family complete he legally adopted her daughter Lisa Ann.

At the beginning of WWII, Ralph began work as a deckhand on Ore Freighters, with Interlake Steamship Co/Pickands Mather. He worked his way up from Deck Hand to Wheelsman and eventually obtained his Officer's License. After 27 years of sailing, he retired as First Mate in 1968.

He regained his "land legs" and began a job in Fuel Oil Sales working his way up to Sales and Service Manager of the Madison office. He was a dedicated professional and not above rising at 3 am in the middle of winter to deliver fuel oil to a residential customers in need. He retired from Skelly Oil in 1985.

He enjoyed sharing stories about his favorite activities, which included fishing on lakes in N. WI, Madison and Southern Chile, snowmobiling, deer hunting, splitting wood, gardening, and spending time in Ashland.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 1, 2014, 2 pm, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison. A visitation will be held prior to the service (1 pm) and there will be a reception with refreshments at the same location after the service.

Per Ralph's request, those wishing to send a monetary gift may donate in his name to the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Rd, Madison WI 53718


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