Ralph W. Tittel

Ralph W. Tittel, 88, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012 in Bella Vista, Arkansas. He was born March 18, 1923 in Russell County Kansas, the son of William and Mary (Heil) Tittel. He graduated from Russell High School in 1941, and served in the U.S. Army, 275th Port Company, during World War II. A longtime resident of Russell, he established and operated two Oilfield businesses, T&W Service Company, and Ack-Ack Tank Service in addition to Tour Ice Company and Surplus City, all in Russell. He served as a Russell County Commissioner for one term. In 1984 he moved to Salina and worked for the Kansas Corporation Commission, retiring in 2004. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Salina, Russell VFW Post 6240, the Russell Masonic Lodge, and the Salina Isis Shrine. He enjoyed being out among people, reading, hunting, boating, traveling, trading cars, and family activities. Survivors include his wife Gloria 'Kay' (Bates) of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; and daughters Jana De Witt (Ron) of Overland Park, Lana Shults of Wichita, and Fern Hess (Gary) of McPherson; step-daughter Lori Beiker (Bob) of Hays; and step-son Jeff Eller (Heidi) of Wind Lake, Wisconsin; sister Ruth Pickering (Don) of Wichita; ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Verdie Peddycord and Doris Miller. Visitation will be Monday, February 20, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6-8. Funeral services 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salina. Interment will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's name to St. John's Lutheran Church, 302 S. 7th, Salina, KS 67401; or The Shriners Hospital Travel Fund, 336 S. Santa Fe, Salina, KS 67401.