Ralph "Dutch" M. Eller

Ralph Monroe Eller passed away on the morning of Monday, March 9, 2015, at his home in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the age of 87 years old. He was born on February 17, 1928 to J. A. and Corrine Eller in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was a lifelong resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ralph married the love of his life, Bennie Ruth Box, on January 5, 1951 in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Ralph began his railroad career at the Katy Railroad on October 8, 1943 as a messenger in the telegraph office. His pay was good at $3.50 per day. He returned to the railroad after serving a stint in the army where he was stationed in the Philippines. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1989 as Chief Freight Agent after 45 years of service. Ralph loved the farm life. He was a dairyman and rancher while still being employed full time at the railroad. After retirement he continued ranching and repairing and selling farm equipment especially tractors. Ralph also loved to travel. He cruised several times to Alaska, Western Caribbean, and Eastern Caribbean. He loved cruising to Alaska and traveled there three times. He also enjoyed his many trips to Branson, MO. Ralph was a member of Grandview Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. He loved his church family. Ralph was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.A. and Corrine Eller; brothers, Royce Sr. Eller and Junior Eller; sisters, Jane Mullen and Foyce Johnston; brothers-in-law, Bob Johnston, Clarence Paris, Jack Hobbs, Ken Parker, and Leonard Howdeshell; nieces and nephews, Dr. Robert Johnston, Mike Mullen, and Sherilynn Price. Ralph is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bennie Eller; 3 children, Larry Eller and wife Chris of Joplin, MO, Pamela Jestice and husband Jimmy of Muskogee, and Terry Eller and wife Raynia of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren, David Ackiss of Rolla, MO, Bryan Eller of Seoul, South Korea, Jodi Hill and husband Justin of Bentonville, AR, Tyler Jestice of Glenpool, OK, Ashley Eller of Muskogee, OK, and Cody Eller and wife Brandi of Ardmore, OK; great grandchildren, Hailey and Zachary Hill of Bentonville, AR, and Dawna Grace Eller of Ardmore, OK due in August of 2015; brothers, Jimmy Eller and wife Sandra of Oktaha, OK, and Ronnie Eller and wife Cookie of Checotah; brother-in-law, Wayne Mullen of Oktaha; sisters, Mildred Paris of Muskogee, Dessie Hobbs of Muskogee, OK, Darlene Howdeshell of Warner, OK, and Saundra Parker of Muskogee; sisters-in-law, Maygene Eller of Haskell, OK, and Joyce Eller of Muskogee, OK; and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Ralph was on dialysis for 7 years and he loved his dialysis staff, nurses, and dialysis family at Davita Dialysis of Muskogee, OK. He received excellent care from Dr. David Lester, Dr. Rajat Kaul, Dr. Baishali Nair, Outreach Home Health, Hometown Hospice, and Muskogee County EMS. Ralph’s family thanks you all very much. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Grandview Baptist Church Building Fund, 3608 S. Cherokee Drive Muskogee, OK 74403. Funeral services honoring Ralph’s life will be 10:30 A.M., Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Grandview Baptist Church with Pastor Danny Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Full Military Honors presented. Pallbearers will be Cody Eller, Tyler Jestice, Justin Hill, and Ricky Nichols. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike McElreath, Howard Hill, and Wes Stanley.

Ralph "Dutch" M. Eller

February 17, 1928 - March 9, 2015