- EAST PEORIA, IL - Ralph W. Polley Sr., 82, of East Peoria, Ill., died at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Ill.
Ralph was born on Dec. 21, 1928, in Evansville, Ind., to Robert O. and Alma Bunner Polley. He married Delores A. Carl on July 4, 1953, in Griffin, Ind. She preceded him in death, on Feb. 14, 1998.
Ralph was also preceded in death by his two brothers, two sisters, two grandsons and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his children, Charles (Jackie) Polley; Carolynn (Paul) O'Donnell; Patricia (Jason) Polley; Ralph Jr. (Pam) Polley; Richard (Paul) Valdez-Polley; seven granddaughters; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
After his father's death in 1932, Ralph and his siblings lived in the Holt Masonic Children's Home in Jeffersonville, Ind. Ralph fondly remembered his 13 years at the home. He believed those years were instrumental to his upbringing.
Ralph served 5 1/2 years in the Seagoing Marines. He spent his last tour of duty in the Korean conflict, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.
After his return from Korea, Ralph went to work for the J.E. Hanger Corporation, where he was a certified prosthetist for 38 years and 51 days. He was instrumental in the lives of many Peoria-area amputees.
Ralph was an avid Cubs fan. Maybe next year, Pop!
Graveside services will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Griffin, Indiana.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on November 4, 2011
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1928 - 2011 (82 years) 
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