Ralph E. Cook Jr.

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ralph E. Cook, Jr., 92, of Tuscola, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at

6:20 p.m., Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Tuscola Health Care Center in

Tuscola, Illinois.

Ralph had worked as a railroader, as well as a coal miner at Peabody #14.

He had worked for R.G. LeTourneau in Peoria, Ill. as a welder. Later he

moved to Tuscola, Ill. and worked as a repairman for U.S.I. Chemical Company

for 17 years. He then moved back to Du Quoin and spent 11 years with Phelps

Dodge Cable Company as a repairman. Ralph had been schooled in Du Quoin.

He was born Feb. 9, 1918 at St. Johns, Ill., the son of Ralph E. and Augusta

(Johnson) Cook, Sr.

He married Pauline Davis on July 28, 1936 at Du Quoin and she preceded him

in death on Oct. 3, 1986. He then married Mary Louise Johnson on Dec. 11,

1987 at West Frankfort, Ill. and she preceded him in death on April 7, 2003.

He is survived by one daughter - Sharon V. Cook of Illiopolis, one

daughter-in-law - Marilyn Cook of Tuscola, friend of the family - Cheryl

Lawyer of Illiopolis, two step-daughters - Donna Brocaille of Tamaroa, and

Connie Martin of Albuquerque, N.M., four grandchildren, 10 great

grandchildren, 13 great great grandchildren, and numerous step

grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, one son - Ralph E. Cook

III, and one step daughter - Eloise Coffel.

Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at the Searby

Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.

Friends called from 9 to 11 a.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du

Quoin.

Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the Perry County Health Department Home Health

and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please

visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.