Ralph H. Link, 80, of Bloomington, died on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at his home.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Oct. 12, at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna in Bloomington with the Rev. Dustin Schultz officiating. Cremation rites were accorded. Entombment was held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at East Lawn Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Bloomington. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home in Bloomington assisted the family.
Mr. Link was born Aug. 28, 1942, in Carlinville, to Michael and Lola (Boehm) Link. He married Jane Marie Deibert on Dec. 15, 1962, in Pottsville, PA, and she survives.
He was a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, having served as a flight engineer. After serving in the military for eight years, his love for flying continued as he flew for over 40 years as a pilot for FS/Growmark and Country Financial before his retirement.
Mr. Link loved anything fast and a close second behind airplanes were his motorcycles. If he couldn’t be found in a plane or on a motorcycle, one would know to look for him on the golf course, in his woodworking shop, vegetable garden or garage restoring his International/Cub Cadet tractors.
He loved spending time with his family and friends when he was not busy working on his hobbies. He made sure to cap each evening relaxing with a cigar and Jack Daniels.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Link is survived by his two children, Michael Link and Heidi (Thomas) Bates, both of Normal; four grandchildren, Chelsea (David) Heitz, Haley (Christian) Rasmussen and Lindsey and Dalton Bates; two great-grandchildren, Freyja and Odin Heitz; brother, Mike (Becky) Link of Bethalto; and two sisters, Carol (Chuck) Roper of Litchfield and Janet Caulk of West Palm Beach, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Dawn Link; and brother-in-law, Ed Caulk.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to DAV Disabled American Veterans, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or CBTF Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.carmodyflynn.com.
