Ralph Lewis Mccallister

Ralph Lewis McCallister, son of the late John and Ethel (McCraw) McCallister, was born on February 19, 1943 in Mtn. Grove, Missouri and departed this life on September 27, 2009 in the Hartville Care Center, Hartville, Missouri following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 66 years, 7 months and 8 days of age.
Ralph grew up and attended school in the Mtn. Grove area. He was united in marriage to Beverly June Ellis on June 10, 1963. Two children were born to this union; Stacey and LeAnna.
Ralph was employed at Fort Leonard Wood for several years and in the early 1980’s he enjoyed farming. In the early 1960’s he owned and operated a gas station in the Manes area. He had a strong work ethic throughout his life. He liked NASCAR racing, Ford cars, and being outdoors. He also liked to race stock cars on local dirt tracks.
Ralph was baptized in 1977 and his faith in God carried him through his battle with four different cancers in seven years. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, neighbor and friend. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
He attended the First Christian Church in Mtn. Grove as long as his health permitted. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Everett and Orla McCallister.
He is survived by his loving wife: Beverly McCallister of their home; his son: Stacey McCallister and his wife, Ingrid, of Manes, Missouri; his daughter: LeAnna Criswell and her husband, Lee, of Lebanon, Missouri; three grandchildren: Seth Criswell and his wife, Brenda, Devon Faith McCallister and Noah James McCallister; one brother: Howard McCalister and his wife, JoElla, of Springfield, Missouri; one sister: Gladys McGownd and her husband, Raymond, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; several nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives, neighbors and friends.


Funeral Services:
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10 AM in the First Christian Church of Mtn. Grove, MO.
Visitation:
Wednseday, September 30, 2009 from 6 PM to 8 PM in the chapel.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery of Mtn. Grove, MO
Memorial Contributions:
Hospice Compassus c/o the funeral home.