Wilfred A. "Bill" Ringwald Obituary (1916

Mr. Wilfred A. "Bill" Ringwald, age 93, of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on December 8, 1916 in Madison, Indiana, the son of Benjamin & Josephine Busse Ringwald. He resided all of his life in Jefferson County and attended school there. He was inducted into the United States Army on September 17, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant serving the Headquarters Company First Battalion 108th Infantry during World War II. He served at the battles and campaigns of Bismarck, Archipelago and Luzon. He was honorably discharged on December 26, 1946 after contracting Tuberculosis while serving in the Philippines, from the Fitzsimmons General Hospital. He received the American Defense Ribbon, the American Theater Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was united in marriage on January 5, 1948 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Madison to Catherine L. Thinnes. To this happy union arrived six daughters and eight sons to bless their home. He was an employee of Madison Electronics in the early 1960's and was employed by the Jefferson Proving Grounds until he retired in 1983. He operated a family Farm producing cucumbers, tobacco, corn, hay and beef. He obtained his GRE while serving in the Army during WWII and he and his wife Catherine encouraged his children to seek higher education. He was recognized throughout the community, his children were often recognized as you are one of Bill's kid's even though they had no idea of who they were talking to. Though he was a quiet man he will be remembered and missed by many. He was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church from 1948-1968, then at St. Anthony Catholic Church in China from 1968 until it closed, then Prince of Peace Catholic Church and also attended St. Magdalene Catholic Church at New Marion as well. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Lodge since Feb. 1, 1949. Bill died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 4:25 p.m. at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY Bill will be missed by his loving sons: James Ringwald & his wife: Judy of Hiawatha, Iowa, Leo Ringwald of Naperville, Illinois, Joseph Ringwald & his wife: Mary of Loogootee, Indiana, Michael Ringwald & his wife: Paula of Loogootee, Indiana, Donald Ringwald & his wife: Beth of New Lenox, Illinois, David Ringwald of Madison, Indiana, Andrew Ringwald of Loogootee, Indiana, Charles Ringwald & his wife: Barbara of Cambridge City, Indiana; his loving daughters: Marilyn Swift & her husband: Terry of Indianapolis, Indiana, Karen McClure & her husband: Rick of Madison, Indiana, Agnes Clift & her husband: John of Burlington, Vermont, Barbara Grandstaff & her husband: Paul of Long Beach, California, Theresa Buehler & her husband: Timothy of Chesterton, Indiana, Patricia Turner of Indianapolis, Indiana; his grandchildren: Jason, Jacob, Joseph, Cathy, Laine, Mary Margaret, Michele, Wilfred, Monica, Daniel, Mathew, Rebecca, Katie, Sarah, Thomas, Simon, Janet, Charlie, Theresa, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Timothy, Eric, Maria, Kenneth, Angela, Nathan, Stephanie, Jonathan, Nicholas, Caleb, Christine, Jesica, Michael, Steven & Sarah; his great grandchildren: Jackson, Joy, Cheyenne, Wyatt, Charles, Gabriel, Vince, Laura, Ray, Kylee, Sandra, Treven, Amanda, Rebecca, Charlotte, Zachary, Allyssa, Emily, Kyle, Kelly, & Marie; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents: Benjamin & Josephine Busse Ringwald; his wife: Catherine L. Thinnes Ringwald died: October 7, 1999; his brothers: Bernard, Leo, & John Ringwald; his sisters: Dorothy Bear, Leota Myhra, Velma Rohrman & Clara Webster. THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Funeral Mass will be conducted Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., at the St. Patrick Catholic Chapel, 305 West State Street in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in China, Indiana with full military honors conducted by Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. VISITATION Friends may call Friday from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. THE ROSARY The Rosary will be prayed on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Shawe & Pope John or Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Wilfred A. "Bill" Ringwald, please click here to visit our sympathy store.