Ralph H. Brooks, who served this community for 74 years as an employee of the Chesterton Cemetery, most of which as Sexton, and who also served as Chesterton Fire Chief for 20 years, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 at St. Anthony Memorial Medical Center. He was 88.

He was born Dec. 2, 1918 in Chesterton, the son of Thomas and Emma (Reglein) Brooks, both of whom preceded him in death.

On April 15, 1944 in Furnessville, he married Delores M. Grieger, who survives in Chesterton.

He is also survived by a daughter, Bonnie (David) Kelly, of Monticello; a granddaughter, Cindy (Dennis) Lambert, of Cincinnati, Ohio and two great-grandchildren, Grayson and Katie Lambert, both of Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Ericson and four brothers, Marvin Brooks, Roy Brooks, Thomas Brooks and Howard Brooks.

Ralph also cared for St. Patrick, Augsburg, Burstrom and Furnessville Cemeteries for many years. He was on the Board of Directors of the Chesterton Cemetery. He served a total of 42 years (1940-1982) on the Chesterton Volunteer Fire Department, and was Chief from 1963 until 1980, which gave him great satisfaction. He was a charter member of Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Assoc.

In 1991, Ralph was chosen Citizen of the Year. He was also a member of the Porter County Farm Bureau. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend to everyone. Ralph loved to play miniature golf when visiting his family and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. He loved to dance the polka.

Funeral services, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Interment will follow at Chesterton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at White-Love Funeral Home. An Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the Chesterton Fire Department Restoration Fund for Engine #1, or to Porter County Cancer Society.

For information, please call 926-1309.

Posted 9/21/2007