Ralph Eugene Sackett

(1937-2021)
FatherSamuel Vernon Sackett (1911-1995)
MotherTilda Mae Keen (1910-2002)
Ralph Eugene Sackett
(1937–2021)
(Src: The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL)
Ralph Eugene Sackett, son of Samuel Vernon Sackett and Tilda Mae Keen, was born in St Louis, MissouriG, on 27 October 1937.1,2 He died aged 83 in Frankfort, Franklin County, KentuckyG, on 18 August 2021.1 He married at the Primitive Methodist Church, Streator, LaSalle County, IllinoisG, on 27 December 1959, Alicia Ann Westwood, daughter of Walter J Westwood and Yvonne Sipe.3
Ralph Eugene Sackett
(1937–2021)
(Src: Yearbook, 1960, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington)

Miss Westwood Is Bride Of Ralph Sackett
     The traditional colors of Christmas were artistically combined for the wedding of Miss Alicia Ann Westwood and Ralph E. Sackett which was solemnized in Primitive Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock.
     Parents of the principals are Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Westwood of 602 Bazore St., and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sackett of 210 John St. Collinsville.
     Rev. William Waterson read the double ring rite at a candlelight service before the altar which was arranged with white flowers and poinsettias, flanked by candelabra and greenery. Mrs. Waterson was organist and played nuptial selections before and during the service; she also accompanied Gayle Hill, college roommate, who sang "Wedding Prayer," "Because" and "The Lord's Prayer."
     Preceding the bride to the altar was her cousin, Miss Susan Ross as maid of honor, with bridesmaids being Mrs. Richard Bromley, of Pontiac, and Miss Mary Ellen Goddard of this city, both sorority sisters.
     Best man was Donald Sackett, Granite City; with groomsmen being Jerry Westwood of this city, Robert House of Bloomington, a fraternity brother of the bridegroom. Seating the guests, George Allen, Chicago, also a fraternity brother, and Leonard Eaton, of St. Louis, Mo., his cousin. Joseph Sackett was ring-bearer for his brother.
Lovely Bride
     Given in marriage by her father, the bride was attired in a beautiful gown of silk mist taffeta. It was fashioned with fitted bodice and scoop neckline appliqued with Venise lace and embroidered with seed pearls. The decorative motif was carried out in the draped skirt. Her veil was of lace imported from England which belonged to her great-grandmother and which had been brought to this country by her grandmother, Mrs. Ross Sipe. She carried a bouquet of Amazon lilies, stephanotis and ivy tied with white satin streamers.
     Gowns of red velvet were worn by the attendants who also carried white fur muffs ornamented with clusters of red carnations and holly. Their headpieces were concoctions of red net. Pearl earrings were their remembrances from the bride.
     To see her daughter married, Mrs. Westwood chose a dress of green and blue brocaded satin with blue accessories. Mrs. Sackett wore brown with black accessories. Both had corsages of white camelias.
Church Reception
     The couple received guests in the church parlors which were festive in red and white holiday decorations. Miss Susan Blakemore registered guests with Miss Sandra Francis and Mrs. Clarence Creamean at the punch bowl. Pouring coffee were Mrs. Philip Martin, and Miss Laury Stanchfield of Arlington Heights.
     The cake was cut by Mrs. James Spachman of Brookfield and Mrs. Ken Roman of Morton. Gifts were in charge of Misses Joan Keating and Judy Amell. Serving were Misses Dorothy Lebo, Janice Corrigan and Barbara Douglas. Arrangements were in charge of Mrs. John Price, Mrs. Jack Hawdon, Mrs. James Woodward and Mrs. Naomi Moore.
     Mrs. Sackett was wearing a black wool sheath dress with matching accessories and a corsage detached from her wedding bouquet when the couple left for a brief honeymoon. They will live at 802 E. Washington St., Bloomington, after the first of the year.
     The bride graduated from Streator high school in 1956 and is presently a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington. Her husband graduated in 1956 from Collinsville high school and is also a senior at Illinois Wesleyan. He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
     The Walter Westwoods were hosts at a rehearsal supper Saturday evening.

The Times, Streator, Illinois, 28 Dec 1959, p 12


FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Ralph Eugene Sackett, 83, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2021 surrounded by his family and much love. Ralph was born in St. Louis, MO on to a humble loving home. Tilda Mae and Sam raised him and his brothers, Don (deceased) and Joe in Collinsville, IL to be honest and hard working. In high school, he excelled in baseball and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. His coach encouraged him to visit Illinois Wesleyan University to see if that might be a better fit. After one visit, benefactor Dale McMackin helped him to receive a full scholarship, a meal work exchange and housing, making him the first in his family to attend and graduate college.
     In his freshman year, Ralph met the love of his life, Alicia Ann Westwood. After playfully stealing her freshman beanie cap, they dated and wed their senior year and were happily married for 61 years. Ralph played third base for the Titans throughout college and began coaching the Bloomington Bobcats, an all star college team while earning his Master's in Mathematics at Illinois State University. He went on to teach and coach numerous sports at Reddick and Octavia High Schools, Washington University, and Granite City High School before finishing up his coaching career at Bloomington High School. His baseball, cross country and basketball teams all excelled under his direction. In 1975, he began a new career in banking with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan which took him and his family to Champaign, IL. He added real estate development to his resume completing the Robeson Crossing Development in Southwest Champaign at the end of his working career.
     In his free time, Ralph enjoyed golf, fishing and cheering on his St. Louis Cardinals. In retirement, he and Alicia loved spending time with family and relaxing in Naples, FL and at their cabin in the woods on Lake Napowan, WI. He was an avid fisherman and took great pleasure in fish fries around the fire with those he loved. (His fish were a favorite for even the non-fish eaters!)
     Ralph is survived by his dear Alicia; four loving children: Robb (Mary Beth), Jill Burton (Gregory), Todd (Kandi), and Matt (Jennifer); 11 adoring grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Also known for his big bear hugs and his beautiful smile, "Papa" will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
     A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to: Parkinson's Association Of SW Florida, 2575 Northbroke Plaza Dr., Building 300, Suite 301, Naples, FL 34119.
     LeCompte Johnson Taylor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Please visit our website at www.ljtfuneralhome.com to leave the family messages of sympathy and condolences in this difficult time.

The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, Aug 2021

 Notes & Citations

  1. Obituary.
  2. Find a Grave.
  3. The Times, Streator, Illinois, 28 Dec 1959, p 12.
Sackett line10th great-grandson of Thomas Sackett the elder of St Peter in Thanet
ChartsLine 3a (American)
Generation.Tree11S.3
Last Edited28 Sep 2021
 

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