Ralph W. Farnell 1926-2012

FARNELL

Posted By: Missy Anderson Maher (email)
Date: 7/8/2012 at 12:28:16

Birth Date: September 19, 1926
Death Date: June 22, 2012

Place of Death: Ralph W. Farnell 85, passed away Friday, June 22, 2012 at his home in Rockwell City.

Masonic Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the United Methodist Church, Rockwell City.

Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery, with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Rockwell City Veterans Organization.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Palmer & Swank Funeral Home in Rockwell City.

Ralph is survived by his wife Betty; daughter Rita Atherton of Minnesota; son Duane Farnell of Hawaii; step-daughter Renee Bronzynski and her husband Kevin of Rockwell City; grandchildren, Amber Bronzynski and her fiancé Jesse Rassel of Marcus, and Axl Bronzynski and his girlfriend Marissa Wheeler of Rockwell City; his brother Fred Farnell of Smyrna, Georgia; and sister-in-law Edna Farnell of Dowling Park, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Emma Lynch Farnell; brothers, J.D. Farnell and Joel Farnell Jr.; and sisters, Zelda Jo Dees, Delores Lee, and Era Williams.

Ralph Waldo Farnell was born September 19, 1926 at Day, Florida. He attended schools to the 10th grade and later received his High School diploma in Florida. In 1943, at the age of 16, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, as a Gunner’s Mate, and was honorably discharged in 1945. He served our country again in 1951, during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged in 1952. Ralph worked for Iowa Public Service in Rockwell City for 41 years. On November 19, 1983, he was united in marriage to Betty Graffunder Muller at the United Methodist Church, Rockwell City. He was a member of the Twin Lakes Masonic Lodge #478 A.F. & A.M., a 25-year member of the Rockwell City Fire Department, and a 25-year member of the Za-Ga-Zig Temple. Ralph also traveled on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to view the World War II Memorial.

Palmer & Swank Funeral Home