SPARTA - Ralph F. "Smiley" Biermann, 92, of Sparta, formerly of Steeleville, passed away at 5:54 am, Sunday, November 15, 2015 at his home. Ralph was born on December 5, 1922, in rural Steeleville, Illinois, the son of Henry J. and Lydia nee Vogt Biermann. He was baptized December 17, 1922 at home by Rev. A.G. Duenow, pastor of St. Mark's in Steeleville. He was confirmed on April 5, 1936 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wine Hill, IL by Rev. Emil Koch. His confirmation verse was Psalm 86:11 and his confirmation hymn was "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me". In his youth, Ralph worked on the family farm till called to serve in the U.S. Navy from February, 1943 to February, 1946. He proudly served during World War II in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. After his discharge from the Navy, Ralph married Lavera May Hornbostel on November 16, 1946 at Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville, IL by Rev. Walter E. Kaitschuk. His employment career included the International Shoe Company in Steeleville; Schaack's Hardware and Funeral Home of Steeleville; Wilson's Funeral Home of Steeleville; and finally, retired from Spartan Printing Company in Sparta, IL, April, 1988. He served on the Steeleville City Council from 1967-1971. Ralph was a member of the VFW in Chester, IL and the American Legion B.B.K. Post 480 in Steeleville and a faithful member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Steeleville where he served on St. Mark's Lutheran School Board and various boards and positions in the church. "Smiley", as friends and family affectionately called him, is survived by his wife, Lavera; two daughters, Connie (Jim) Kirkland of Steeleville, Donna (Steve) Eaton of Sparta; one son, Danny (Regenna) Biermann of Marion; two sisters, Evelyn Vogel of Ava, and Lucille (Harold) Vanhoy of Red Bud, IL; one brother, Willard Biermann of Coulterville; 11 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Margaret Meyerhoff; and four brothers, Lawrence, Orville, Edgar and Robert Biermann. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, November 19, 2015 at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Steeleville with Rev. Kelly Bedard officiating. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville. Visitation will be held at the church, where friends may call on Wednesday from 5 pm until 8 pm, with an American Legion service being held at 8 pm, under auspices of BBK American Legion Post 480, then on Thursday from 9 am until 1 pm. The family wishes that Christ's love continued to be spread through memorials to St. Mark's Lutheran School, St. Mark's Lutheran Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois.