Ralph J. Fuhler, 74, of Edgewater Beach, rural Carlyle, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at his home. He was born on November 19, 1934 in rural Aviston to Herman and Theresa "Bertha" (Stoff) Fuhler. He married JoAnn Koch on November 3, 1956 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Highland and she survives in Edgewater Beach.

Additional survivors include his children, Lynn (spouse, Steve Frazier) Fuhler of Winston-Salem, N.C., Neal (Peggy) Fuhler of Palm Harbor, FL, Mark (Jan) Fuhler of Highland, John (LeOra) Fuhler of Des Peres, MO, and Jill (Brian) Shubirg of Troy; 10 grandchildren, Tyler Fuhler and Anna Fuhler of Palm Harbor, FL, Megan Fuhler and Emily Fuhler of Highland, Claire Fuhler, Nicholas Fuhler and Amelia Fuhler of Des Peres, MO, Miranda Hartman, Mandy Hartman and Hunter Hartman of Troy; three sisters, Bernice "Becy" Foppe and Irene Buscher of Breese, formerly of Aviston, Edna (Cyril "Tuffy") Markus of Breese; one brother, Don (Jane) Fuhler of New Baden; brothers-in-law, Cyril Athmer and Elmer "Buddy" Perkes of Breese, Cyril "Nick" Koch, D.D. S. of Alton; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen (Gruenenfelder) Koch Ansley of Mt. Vernon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Jr. who died in infancy; his sisters, Viola "Ole" Wellen, Marie Albers, Thelma "Timmy" Athmer, and Jeannette Perkes; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, August "Gus" Wellen, Ray Foppe, Clarence Albers, Ray Buscher, Paul Koch, Ralph Long, James "Doc" Ansley, Adrienne (Koch) Long and Geraldine "Jerri" Koch.

Ralph owned and operated Breese Salvage (now Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniform) in Breese from 1970 until his retirement in 2001. Prior to this he worked for Freight Salvage and the city of Highland, both in Highland. He served in the U. S. Air Force as part of the Air-Sea Crash Rescue Team and was based out of March AFB in Riverside, CA with additional duty at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska and RAF Brize Norton AFB and RAF Upper Heyford, both at Oxfordshire, England. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Parish in Marydale and previously St. Paul’s Parish when he resided in Highland. He was active in the Breese Business and Professional Association and the Breese Lion’s Club. He was also a member of the American Legion in Highland and Breese and was a former 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Highland. Ralph enjoyed camping and living at Carlyle Lake. His greatest pleasure later in life was mowing his yard and watching deer at Hazlett State Park.

At the request of Mr. Fuhler, a private service will be held for the immediate family. Following cremation burial will be held in the St. Felicitias Cemetery in Beaver Prairie.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Theresa’s Parish at Marydale and may be sent to the church or to Hempen Funeral Home in Breese, who is in charge of arrangements.