AVA – Ralph Edward Clover, 86, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, January 15, 2022, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. He was a resident of Ava, Illinois for many years and resided at Manor Court of Carbondale over the past few months.

Ralph was born November 20, 1935, in Pomona, Illinois; the youngest of four children born to Edward M. and Lena M. (Franklin) Clover.

He married Beulah Ann Gray on May 29, 1959, then moved to Washington Park, Illinois. Beulah preceded him in death on November 17, 2013.  This union resulted in five children, Theresea, Randy, Lisa, Rick, and Rob. Ralph and Beulah moved to Ava, Illinois in 1973 and he resided there until moving to Manor Court of Carbondale in July.

Ralph was a truck driver for the Central Soya Company during the time he resided in Washington Park.  He also worked as a custodian for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, a Sales Representative for Jul Fischer Distributing, and as an IDNR Maintenance Worker at Murphysboro Lake during the 1970's before securing a job with Consolidated Coal Company as a mechanic in 1979.  He retired from Consolidated Coal Company in 1997.

Ralph was a member of Crain Baptist Church, actively participating in the choir and church activities for many years. Ralph enjoyed his family, playing cards with friends, church and doing crafts with Beulah for most of his adult life. Ralph (and Beulah) enjoyed having their family and friends around, he will be missed.

Ralph is survived by four of his children, Theresea (Gary) Laakko, Randy (Michelle) Clover, Lisa (Mark) Frederick, and Rick (Tracey) Clover; eight grandchildren, Gheri, Shayne (Beth), Ali (J.T.), Julie (Nicholas), Emmaleigh (Noah), Bryan, Ethan and Ellynne; and five great-grand-daughters, Madison, Eryn, Cali, Audreyanna, and Kaylee Jo; his sister, Ruby Black, brother in law and sister in law, "Gene" and Jane Gray, sister in law, Louann Gray; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Aside from Beulah, Ralph was preceded in death by his son, Robert Eugene Clover in 1995. Also preceding him in death was his parents, Edward M. and Lena M. (Franklin) Clover; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard and Barbara Clover, Hubert and Mary Clover, and brothers-in-law, Aaron Black and "Butch" Gray; several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and his dear friends, Charles and Audrey Gray.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2022, at Crain Baptist Church in Ava with Reverend Tim Olson officiating. Burial will follow at Crain Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 20th and from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday at the church.Memorials may be made to the family, Crain Baptist Church or Crain Cemetery  and can be mailed to Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.  To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net .  Due to executive orders, current COVID guidelines will be followed.