Elmer and May Sophia Beebe Heck had three sons serving in World War II: Ralph Leroy, John Donald, and Earl L. Heck.
Ralph Leroy Heck was born July 20, 1920. He died Sept. 11, 1947 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Sgt. Heck served with the U.S. Army in World War II.
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W. C. MAN ONE OF 5 KILLED IN COLLISION
Ralph L. Heck, 26 Victim of Crash Near Albia, Iowa
Ralph L. Heck, 26, Webster City construction worker, and four companions were killed late last evening near Albia in a collision involving an automobile and two trucks loaded with hogs. The tragedy occurred on Highway 34, two miles east of Albia……..
Services Here Are Pending
Funeral services here, with Foster funeral home in charge, were pending today for Ralph Leroy heck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heck of this city and a victim of a traffic accident late last evening near Albia.
The Webster City young man, a veteran of World War II, had been employed in road and bridge construction work with the Cunningham and Reis Co., and had been working in the Albia vicinity where cement culverts were being installed.
Ralph Leroy Heck, son of Elmer and May Heck was born July 20, 1920, on a farm north of Webster City. He attended rural schools in that vicinity and was graduated in 1942 from Lincoln high school in Webster City.
After entering service, he was assigned to a radio division of the army and served for three years, being located in the Philippines and south Pacific war theater.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford, and one sister, Mrs. Ted (Hormel) Fetter. Survivors include his parents, three sisters and five brothers: Mrs. Will (Verla) Ferguson of Webster City; Mrs. John (Vesta) Klooster, Webster City; Mrs. Donald (Leila) Eggers, Los Angeles; Loren Heck, Waterloo, and Carl, John, Earl, and Elmer Max Heck, all of Webster City.
He was a member of the American Legion post in this city.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Sept. 12, 1947
HECK SERVICES TO BE MONDAY IN THIS CITY
Funeral services for Ralph Heck, Webster City resident who was killed late Thursday evening in an auto-truck collision near Albia, will be held at the Foster funeral home Monday afternoon.
Services will start at 2 o’clock with the Rev. D. C. Kooy of the Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.
Heck, 26-year old construction worker, was one of five people killed when the auto in which he was riding hit two trucks on Highway 34.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Sept. 13, 1947
Source: ancestry.com
