Obituary of Ralph R. Castle

Ralph R. Castle, 84 of Coralville, died Sunday, March 16, 2014, at the Solon Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City, where there will be a time of visitation one hour prior to services. Graveside services will be held at 10am Thursday at St. Joseph Cemetery in Anthon, Iowa. Memorial donations can be made in Ralph's memory to Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Ralph R. Castle was born Friday, April 5, 1929, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Ralph and Loretta (Teders) Castle. At a young age, Ralph joined his father in the cattle business, spending a lot of time at the Chicago Stockyards. He later joined the Indiana Air National Guard and was transferred to Sioux City, Iowa where he met his wife, Florence Fitzpatrick. They were married in 1954, in Moville, Iowa. Ralph had been employed by the Sioux City Stockyards and Spencer Foods for many years as a cattle buyer. Ralph and Frances made their home in Wisconsin, Spencer, LeMars and Sheldon, Iowa. They had six children, and enjoyed 44 years of marriage before Frances's death. In 2001 Ralph moved to Coralville where he remained until his death. Ralph loved the outdoors, and had an extensive collection of stockyard and cattleman items. His family includes four children, Daniel Castle (Trese), Kevin Castle (Sheri), Ann Lohela, and Vince Castle (Joan); grandchildren, Michael Castle (Jennifer), Elizabeth Trees (Justin), Brian Castle (Alyssa), Robert Castle, Lauren Castle, Kylie Bryson, David Lohela, Kathleen Lohela, Greg Castle, Eric Castle, and Ben Castle; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Timothy, and Monica Castle; Brandon, Brock, and Brody Trees; Addilyn, Emersyn and Isabelle Castle; and his two sisters, Patricia Burlage and Joan Sauer. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Frances; and their two sons, Thomas and Steven Castle. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Ralph's family and his services.