Ralph Petermeyer, age 84 of Carlyle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ralph was born in Beckemeyer, Illinois on June 13, 1941, a son of August J. and Leona A. (Pollmann) Petermeyer. He married Ethel Loepker on April 23, 1963, and together they celebrated 62 years together.
Ralph proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church. He was active in the community as a member of the Beckemeyer American Legion Post 1227 and the Carlyle Knights of Columbus Council 1382. At the KC Hall, Ralph liked to stay busy and could almost always be found lending a hand—whether it was working weekly Bingo, selling chances for the Queen of Hearts raffles, helping with fish fries, or cooking at the monthly breakfasts. When he wasn’t volunteering, Ralph enjoyed woodworking, fishing and boating, and tending to his garden, but his favorite times were those spent with his family and especially his grandchildren. Ralph spent 41 years working as a steelworker at Granite City Steel.
Mr. Petermeyer is survived by his wife, Ethel Petermeyer of Carlyle; his children, Jeff Petermeyer and wife Michelle of Aviston, Illinois, Kim Kalil and husband Don of Castle Pines, Colorado, Lisa Hupfeld of Fenton, Missouri and Kurt Petermeyer and wife Carrie of Kennesaw, Georgia; his grandchildren, Mallory Korte and husband Chris, Jared Petermeyer and wife Ashley, Joseph Petermeyer, Alex Kalil and wife Cassie, Tyler Kalil, Ashley Hupfeld, Allison Hupfeld, Hilary Gaines and husband Joe, Samuel Petermeyer, Claire Ellis Petermeyer, and Grant Petermeyer; and his great grandchildren, James Petermeyer, Madyson Korte, Michael Petermeyer, Wyatt Korte, Melody Korte, Waylon Korte, Audrie Hupfeld, Everett Gaines, and Wilder Gaines. Ralph is also survived by a brother, Richard Petermeyer and wife Maribeth; two sisters, Betty Koopmann and husband Leonard and Rita Petermeyer; and her in-laws, Carol Petermeyer, Edna Woltering, and Herbert Loepker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Leona Petermeyer; a daughter, Michelle K. Holmes; two brothers, Raymond and Robert Petermeyer; a sister, Mary Louise “Sis†Wilke and husband Norbert; and her in-laws, Ervin and Frances Loepker, Bernard and Mildred Loepker, Elsie and Willie Wiegman, and Dorothy and Casper Richter.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial with military honors will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1171 Livingston Street, Carlyle, IL. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 12:30 – 2:00 PM.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Petermeyer are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or to the American Cancer Society. Donations will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. |