Ralph Cummings

Ralph E. Cummings, 83, of Westville went to be with the Lord at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday November 25, 2009 at the VA Illiana Health Care System. He was born on October 10, 1926 in Danville, IL the son of Harold and Helen (King) Cummings. He married Helen Urban on February 12, 1949 in Westville, IL. She preceded him in death on July 16, 1988. Survivors include his children; Donna M. Cumming of St. Louis, MO, Patricia A. Burke of Westville, and Michael E. (Starla) Cummings of Westville; his grandchildren, Adam M. Cummings of Westville, Sarah M. Cummings of Westville, and Keith A. Burke of Aurora, IL. Ralph was in the army from 1944-1946. On December 19th 1946 he went to work at Hyster Company, where he worked from 42 years before retiring on October 31st 1988. Ralph was on the Westville-Belgium Sanitary Board for twenty five years. He was appointed to the treasury position for the village of Belgium and attained the position for 22 years. During the Cuban Crisis, Ralph helped start up the Civil Defense Program in Belgium. He was appointed the position of Chief of Civil Defense for Belgium and was a special Deputy Sheriff for 20 years. He was a Red Vest Volunteer at USMC for 8 years and devoted 2000 hours to this program. Ralph was on the Westville Volunteer Fire Dept. for 32 years where he served as a trustee. Ralph was a spokesperson for the United Way Program in Vermilion County and a Scout Troop Committee Chairman for 2 years. He was also a member of the Vermilion County Planning Commission He was a member of many clubs including the Model-T Ford Club, Model-A Ford Club, Illiana Car Club, Lions Club, Hyster Fishing Club, Life Time member of the Wabash Valley Gun Collectors Association, member of the Masonic Lodge for 53 years, Scottish Rite (Valley of Danville), (32nd Degree), the Illinois Sheriffs Association and the Belgium Neighborhood Crime Watch. He was the Westville Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall in 2003. Ralph enjoyed restoring old cars with his buddies, going to car shows, and being active in various community area organizations. He loved watching Nascar Racing (a Jeff Gordan fan) but his greatest joy was being with his family and friends.