Ralph Leroy Burton was born Apr. 21, 1920 to Guy William and Katherine Cleo Ruhl Burton. He died Feb. 7, 1947 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Lt. Burton served with the U.S. Navy in World War II
His Death Notice: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, Feb. 7, 1947
RALPH BURTON CRASH VICTIM AT IOWA FALLS
Former W.C. Sports Star Dies in Hospital After Mishap.
Ralph Burton, 25, former Webster City sports star and veteran of three year’s naval service, died early this morning at a hospital in Iowa Falls of injuries suffered in an auto-truck collision at 7 o’clock last night on the outskirts of Iowa Falls.
The auto in which Burton was riding with his wife and four other Iowa Falls residents smashed into the truck near a viaduct on highway 65, north of Iowa Falls. A blinding snowstorm was blamed for the accident.
His Wife Injured
Burton’s wife reportedly suffered a broken hip and other injuries, but was the only other passenger in the auto to be seriously hurt.
The former Webster City Lynx football and basketball ace was employed at Iowa Falls as assistant manager at Gamble’s. He was associated with the “Shamrocks,” an independent basketball squad, and the Iowa Falls group was reported heading for Hampton where a basketball game had been scheduled last evening.
Riding with Mr. and Mrs. Burton in the auto were Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Meyer, Robert Allen and Miss Helen Van Houten. Both Mrs. Burton and Miss Van Houten are employed as teachers in the Iowa Falls high school.
Burton was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries about 2:30 a.m. His brother, Don Burton of Webster City, was notified of the accident early in the evening and attempted to drive to Iowa Falls but was forced to turn around and return to this city due to the storm.
Funeral Pending
Funeral arrangements are pending and will probably be held next week, depending upon the arrival of a sister, Mrs. Bonnie Hardee, who resides at Los Angeles.
During his high school career, Burton gained all-state honors for his sports ability. Following his graduation from Webster City, Burton attended Iowa university for one year. He enrolled the next year at Drake university where he was a standout in both football and basketball. He left Drake to enter the U.S. naval reserve and served for three years with the air corps, being discharged about a year ago.
Burton was regarded as one of the best sportsmen ever produced at Webster City high school and was highly regarded in college circles because of his ability.
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Feb. 10, 1947
HOLD BURTON RITES TODAY
Funeral services for Ralph Burton, former Webster City athletic ace, were held at Iowa Falls and at Webster City this afternoon with burial in Graceland cemetery.
Burton died at Iowa Falls Friday of injuries suffered Thursday evening in an auto-truck accident near Iowa Falls.
The former all-state basketball and football player was the son of Mrs. O. D. Ruhl of Webster City and Guy W. Burton of Iowa Falls.
Services were held at the Woods funeral home in Iowa Falls at 2 p.m. with brief services being held at the Foster funeral home in this city at 3:30, followed by burial at Graceland cemetery.
The American Legion unit of Iowa Falls was in charge of military services held at the grave.
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Obituary: Feb. 11, 1947
Ralph Leroy Burton was born April 21, 1920, in Webster City. He graduated from the Webster City high school in 1938 and junior college in 1941. He was attending Drake university at the time of his enlistment in the United States naval reserve.
He was an outstanding athlete in both high school and college, receiving statewide recognition.
After receiving a commission as ensign at Pensacola, Fl., he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ardis Niebuhr, Oct. 24, 1943. The couple made their home in Long Beach, Calif., until he left for overseas duty.
After serving 18 months on active duty in the Pacific as a naval pilot of carrier based airplanes, he returned to the states and received his honorable discharge in December, 1945.
Mr. Burton then made his home in Iowa Falls and was a member of the English Lutheran church, the American Legion and also active in Boy Scout work.
He was injured in an automobile accident the evening of Feb. 6, 1947, and died at one o’clock the following morning.
He is survived by his wife, who was seriously injured in the same accident, by his mother, Mrs. O. D. Ruhl of Webster City, his father, Guy W. Burton of Iowa Falls, a grandmother, Mrs. Lettie Burton of Farley, Iowa, a brother, Don of Webster City, a sister, Bonnie, of Los Angeles, and a nephew, Donny, of Webster City.
Burial was made at the Graceland Cemetery in Webster City, Feb. 10.
Source: ancestry.com
