Ralph Mead

Ralph E. Mead, 78, of Corning, Iowa, formerly of Cumberland, Iowa passed away Sunday, August 16, 2009, at the Corning Nursing and Rehab Center.

Ralph Edward Mead was born on November 20, 1930, in Craig, Missouri, the son of Engle and Cecil Mae (Cunningham) Mead.


He attended school in Craig and Mound City, Missouri, graduating from Craig High School in 1949. Ralph received his Bachelors Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri, in 1957.

Following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country during the Korean War from 1950-1954. During his tour of duty he was wounded and spent nine months in the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Ralph was then transferred to the naval base in Hastings, Nebraska, where he met his wife, Anita.
Ralph and Anita were married on July 23, 1954, in Fremont, Nebraska. Ralph taught Social Studies in Fall City and Orleans, Nebraska until 1960. He and Anita moved to Massena in 1960, and Cumberland the following year, where he taught in the Cumberland and Massena school district.

Classic Western was one of Ralph's favorite musical delights. He enjoyed taking trips with Anita and her family, and just visiting people in general. In his younger days he could be found at a fishing pond or getting ready to hunt. For 30 years he had the pleasure of 3 different Dachshunds at his side, with Rufus being the last one. He often talked about how he missed him, even to present-day.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Anita Mead; his son, Thomas (Lori) Mead; his grandchildren, Kelsey and Kenzie Mead, all of Clarinda, Iowa; his brother-in-law, Stanley Ferguson of Oregon and Forrest Ferguson of Nebraska; his sister-in-law, Earline Ferguson of Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, Engle and Cecil Mead; his son, Dennis Edward Mead; his grandson, Keanne Eric Mead; his sister, Lucille White; and his brother, Cecil Mead, Jr.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 21, 2009, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. In honor of Ralph's service in the United States Marine Corps, military rites will be performed by the Atlantic Color Guard.

Visitation with the family will be held Friday, one hour prior to the memorial service, also at Hockenberry's.

Following the memorial service, refreshments will be served in the Hockenberry Family Care Community Room.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.