AVA, Ralph William Kueker, 78, of Ava, passed away at 3:45 AM Sunday, March 4, 2012, at his home in Ava, Illinois. Ralph was born June 20, 1933 in Evansville, Illinois the son of Henry and Ella (Hanebutt) Kueker. Ralph married Dorothy Galbraith on Saturday, July 27, 1957 in Steeleville, IL. Ralph was a veteran of the US Army during the Korean War and was retired from Gilster Mary Lee Corp from the dock. He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church, Jacob, IL. Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy Kueker of Ava; children, Sherry (Troy) Maynard of Ava, Brian (Elaine) Kueker of Ava and Cindy (Alex) Sparks of Percy, IL; one grandchild; 3 step grandchildren; one great grandchild; one step great grandchild; two sisters, Amanda Abell of Chester, IL and Leona Wegener of Chester, IL; and one brother, Ardell Kueker of Ellis Grove, IL. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; one brother; one sister and one infant sister. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Wilsons Funeral Home Ava, Illinois with Rev. Mike Kettner officiating. Burial will follow at Percy Village Cemetery, Percy, IL. Visitation will be at Wilsons Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Wednesday from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or TIP Hospice.