Ralph Day

Ralph Day

May 13, 1928 - April 28, 2015

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Obituary

Ralph Emery Day, 86, of Platteville passed away peacefully on April 28, 2015. He was born in rural Highland on May 13, 1928. He was the son of Arthur and Esther (Trankle) Day and the loving husband of Madge (Biddick) Day who preceded him in death on March 31, 2012.
Ralph attended Highland High School and graduated from Rewey High School before attending Wisconsin State Teachers College in Platteville. He taught briefly in Cazenovia before entering the military in the Korean Conflict. Upon his return he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the University of Minnesota Veterinary School, graduating in 1957.
Ralph and Madge were united in marriage in 1955. They moved to Platteville in 1957 where he began his veterinary practice. His dedication and commitment to veterinary medicine in southwest Wisconsin will be remembered by many. He was active in many organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Elks Club, Jaycees, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Rewey Alumni Association, Platteville Golf and Country Club Board of Directors and the United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. He served on the First National Bank Board of Directors for many years including being Chairman of the Board.
Ralph enjoyed many activities throughout his life including golfing, bowling, walking, euchre, cribbage, sporting events and dancing with Madge. His love for music has been passed on to his entire family.
Ralph is survived by seven children, Judy (Steve) Wilson of Neenah, Steve (Tammi) Day of Waukesha, Bill (Susan) Day of Platteville, Don Day of Lewisville, Texas, Kathy (John) Carey of Odessa, Delaware, Mary (Marc) Schambow of West Chester, Ohio, Dan (Jamie) Day of Madison; thirteen grandchildren, Helen and Emma Wilson, Natalie (Dan) Baertschy, Justin (Renee) Day, Rachel and Sarah Day, Alex and Arianna Day, Anna and Luke Schambow, Emery, Hanna and Clare Day; and two great grandchildren, Noel Baertschy and Gracelynn Day. Ralph is also survived by siblings Norman (Ramona) Day of Sussex, Ruth Jinkins of Platteville and Bob (Pam) Day of Rewey and sisters in law Nancy Krell of Platteville, Mary (Marion) Leix of Montfort, Jane (Larry) Dolphin of Mineral Point, and brothers in law Joe (Marsha) Biddick of Fitchburg, and Jim (Linda) Biddick of Livingston. He will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Roberts and a brother John Day.

Funeral services will be Friday, May 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Platteville (1065 Lancaster Street). Rev. Brenda Whitford will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery Platteville, where military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the United Methodist Church, Platteville, or after 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the church. The Melby Funeral Home and Crematory Platteville is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Ralph E Day Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the staff at Park Place, Epione and Grant County hospice who provided loving care to Ralph during his journey with Alzheimer's disease.

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Dan & Tammie Engelke
Other •
Hello Day Family, We extend our sympathy to your entire family. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to first get to know Ralph and Madge and then their kids and grandkids. May your family smile big at the telling of the many 'Day Stories' that included your Mom & Dad right in the middle of them or Ralph as the instigator. Take care, Dan & Tammie Engelke
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Dan Engelke
Other •
I have known Ralph for 40 plus years. All started when I was a boy on our farm in Belmont. Doc was our Vet and had a way about himself to give me- a young kid, his time to discuss what procedure he was going to do for the animal he was working on for us. He would let me hand him his next tool out of his Dr's bag. Such an icon of a man to me then as a boy and over the years as an adult. THANKS for your time Doc and may your golf game go well with those in Heaven with you!
TL
Thomas Lindahl
Other •
To the lovely family of Ralph Day, I share in the grief in the death of your loving father Ralph. Although I only had the opportunity to know Ralph in his late years, I really enjoyed the times we shared and talked together. I knew he loved all of you very much and you were all a big part of who he was. I will surely miss him. My sympathy to all of you. May God Bless and Keep You. Tom Lindahl
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Nicholas Ortiz
Other •
To the Days, He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. I may not have known him well myself but from what I can tell from his awesome kids, he must have been an amazing man. Now that he and Mage are reunited I'm sure that they are both very happy looking down on their wonderful family.
TS
Troy Skaife
Other •
I remember your father fondly. He was a good man. I'm so sorry for your loss.
JE
Justin Eskew
Other •
Mary, Marc and family, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God provide you peace and comfort, now and in the future as you cope with the loss of your father. Respectfully, Justin Eskew

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