Obituary of Joseph A. Ragole, Marion County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

MARION COUNTY RECORD, 3 January 2001

Obituary of JOSEPH A. RAGOLE

Joseph A. Ragole, 73, one of Marion County's willing worker volunteers, died Dec. 27, 2000, at Via Christi-St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita.
After suffering from heart problems, he was taken to St. Luke Hospital in Marion and then transferred by helicopter to the medical center in Wichita.
A former employee of Mobil Oil, he was well known not only in Marion but also in the expanded community often referred to as "the oil patch."
Not only was he well known, he also was admired by countless friends. Everyone agreed that "Joe Ragole is a nice guy."
He was a devoted worker in the church, helped friends and neighbors, and was a community volunteer.
Born Feb. 8, 1927, at Omaha, Neb., he was the son of Cyril and Emma Ragole.
He grew up in Omaha and graduated from high school.
Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army.
On May 8, 1950, he was united in marriage with Phyllis Blackman at McPherson. The couple had a son, Joseph Alan, and a daughter, Janet.
He worked for many years, and retired from Mobil Oil Pipeline as a gauger. During that time, the family lived at Sioux City, Iowa; Ness City, Bouge, and Marion in Kansas. They moved to Marion in 1970 and he retired in 1984.
He was a member of Holy Family Parish Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion.
He enjoyed golf, took immaculate care of the lawn at their new home, and was devoted to his church.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, of the home; son, Joseph Alan Ragole of Centreville, Va.; daughter, Janet Plunket of Salina; brother, Alfred Ragole of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and six grandchildren.
The rosary was recited Friday evening at the church and the Mass of the Resurrection was offered Saturday morning with Father Steve Gronert as celebrant.
Matt Newhouse was lector, music was by vocalist Jeff Bina and Charlene Svitak at the organ.
Casket bearers were Bob Kelly, Matthew Classen, Ken Vinduska, Ed Sandwell, Jack Beaston, and Carl Cyr.
Elsie Bezdek was the rosary leader
Burial was in the McPherson Cemetery with military honors provided by an honor guard squad from Fort Riley.
A memorial fund has been established in his name at the church.

Transcribed and Contributed by Kenneth Thomas