Ralph E. Glasford
Ralph E. Glasford, 82, of Anna, died at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital in Anna.
Mr. Glasford was born on June 11, 1942, in Pomona Township (Jackson County) Illinois. He was the fifth of six children born to Ralph and Hallie Stutes Glasford.
On Nov. 27, 1963, he was united in marriage to Darlene L. Richardson in Vienna. She survives.
He is also survived by two daughters, Robin Sullivan of Murphysboro and Gena (David) Grey of Anna; a heart-daughter, Nicole (Stuart) Butwell of Vienna; grandchildren William Sullivan of Midland, Texas, Ashley Bell of Vienna, Bradley (Skye) Reinier of Carbondale, Isabella Grey and Poppi Grey, both of Anna; great-grandchildren Hunter, John, Alex, Mia, Joseph, Noah, Bryce, Trystin, Edan, Ethan, Zoey and Logan; a brother, Phillip (Elizabeth) Glasford of Anna; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Glasford was preceded in death by a daughter, Sonya Reinier; a grandson, Joshua Lowell Reinier; and four sisters, Mayme Petty, Jean Petty, Dorothy Goodpasture and Barbara Porterfield.
He attended Anna-Jonesboro Community High School. He also attended both Shawnee Community College as well as John A. Logan Community College.
Mr. Glasford was a U.S. Army veteran. He enlisted in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1962. During his military service, he was stationed in Korea.
He was a member and past chaplain of Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 in Vienna.
Mr. Glasford was employed by Caterpillar Inc as an assembler in the company’s Joliet manufacturing facility. Following his return to Southern Illinois, he was employed by Florsheim Shoe Company in Anna as a machinist. He also worked as an operator and truck driver at the Anna Stone Quarry.
He was last employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections. He first was employed at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester for 17 years, prior to transferring to the Big Muddy Correctional Center at Ina at the time of that facility’s opening. He worked at Big Muddy for 17 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.
He enjoyed camping and cherished time spent with his family. He was a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church in Anna.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Burial was in the Alto Pass Cemetery. Military rites were accorded by Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 and the Illinois National Guard burial honors detail.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2200 Cabot Dr., Suite 460, Lisle, Ill. 60532 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1905.
To share a memory or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, visit www.baileyfh.com.
Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.