2023 03/24 – Ralph John Mirka

Ralph John Mirka, 98 of Alma, Illinois passed away March 19, 2023 at the Salem Township Hospital in Salem, Illinois.

Born March 25, 1924 in Maple Heights, Ohio, he was the son of John Stanley and Anna (Hejl) Mirka.

A memorial mass will take place at 11 AM Friday at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Salem with Fr. Jose Jacobs officiating. Burial will be private. The family invite you to gather with them from 10:00 am until the service at the church. Military Honors will be accorded by the Salem American Legion Post #128 at the church following mass. They suggest memorials to honor Ralph be made to the Ralph and Margaret Mirka Charitable Trust for Aviation Scholarships and will be accepted by the Sutherland – Rankin Funeral Home. P.O. Box 97, 310 N. Broadway, Salem, IL 62881 (618) 548-1234. Online condolence may be left at sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Ralph was a W.W. II Army veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre. He loved sharing war stories from the time in his life. In the 1960’s, Ralph was a firefighter for the Las Padre Forrest in California. Always proud of his military career, he appreciated being part of the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2019. He was a journeyman machinist by trade and a farmer. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church in Kinmundy. He and his wife Margaret “Peggy” Mirka were generous philanthropists having established the Ralph and Margaret Mirka Charitable Trust. They are remembered for their contribution to many interests, among them Salem Township Hospital having a wing dedicated as the Ralph and Margaret Mirka Wing, and the Centralia Humane No-Kill Society.

He was married to Marjorie Mirka who preceded him in death in 1983. He later married Margaret “Peggy” Gaudiose. She preceded him in death June 29, 2013.

Survivors include his sister, Margaret (Robert) McDonald of Mt. Pleasant, MI, numerous nieces and nephews, along with dear friends Leonard and Sue Rose of Centralia, and Richard and Alfreda Porte of Alma, Illinois. He will also be missed by Marilyn Renfro and the entire staff of Twin Willow Nursing Home in Salem who provided Ralph excellent care and became close friends.

In addition to his wives and parents, he was recently preceded in death by his best canine friend Chico. Also, his siblings Bernard, Raymond, Johnny and Joseph Mirka and Maryann Mirka Gosser.