Ralph I. Horne

Mr. Horne died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa.

He was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Melvern, the son of Robert W. and Cora Estella Bebee Horne. He grew up in the Waverly and Princeton areas and graduated from Princeton High School in 1943. He had lived in Ottawa since 1946.

Mr. Horne worked in commercial and heavy construction in the Lawrence and Kansas City areas from 1951 until he retired in June 1986. He served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 13, 1945, until Oct. 28, 1946. He reached the rank of corporal.

He married Betty Jean Pearce on Jan. 20, 1945, in Ottawa. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Ralph L., Lakeview, Ark.; three daughters, Judy K. Justice, Lawrence, Cora J. Hensiek and Cindy L. McCurdy, both of Ottawa; two brothers, Norman J., Ottawa, and Donal Dee, Pomona; a sister, Dora Mae Thortis, Texas; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

A granddaughter died earlier.

Friends may call from 8:30 a.m. until the service hour today at the mortuary.

The family suggests memorials to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter or American Lung Assn., sent in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa 66067.

E-mail condolences may be sent to dengelmortuary@sbcgolbal.net.