Ralph McCowen, Jr., 94, of Scheller, Illinois, passed away at 3:00 pm February 24, 2023 at his residence. He was born January 8, 1929 in Waltonville, Illinois to the late Ralph and Hazel (Hamilton) McCowen, Sr. Ralph married Margaret (Ziarnek) McCowen on April 18, 1952. They were blessed with fifty-two years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 3, 2004.

Ralph is survived by his daughter, Sheri Lynn Mossa and husband, Tony of Dubois, Illinois; son, Myron McCowen and wife, Carrie of Scheller, Illinois; grandchildren, Bailey Lindsey and husband, Brandon, Mariah Boswell and husband, Jeremy, Kylie McCowen and significant other, Nicholas DeMarco, Sami McCowen, and Mark McCowen; great-grandchildren, Azalea Lindsey, Weslynn Boswell, Silas McCowen, and Alyssa Pedtke; and sister, Donna Wilson of Elkville, Illinois.

In addition to his parents and wife, Ralph was preceded in death by his siblings, Kelly McCowen, Dyer McCowen, Frieda Mae Lemons, Donald McCowen, Jerry McCowen, and Diane Philp.

Ralph worked as a coal miner and a farmer. He was a member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and United Mine Workers of America Local 1825. Ralph enjoyed farming, tractors, cattle and sitting in his side-by-side with Toby watching traffic go by.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, Illinois. A Visitation will be held Friday, March 3, 2023 from 9:00 am to 9:45 am at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, Illinois A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Scheller, Illinois with Father Nick Junker and Deacon Mark Kabat officiating. Interment will follow at St. Barbara Cemetery in Scheller, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Ralph’s honor to St. Barbara Cemetery or SSM Health at Home Hospice.

Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.