Ralph E. Paarlberg

Ralph Earl Paarlberg, age 93, passed from this life into heaven on March 20, 2025. He was born on April 22, 1931, to Cornelius and Mary (Veld) Paarlberg of South Holland, IL. He grew up on the family farm and, with his older sister Caryl and parents, attended First Reformed Church in South Holland. Ralph graduated from Thornton (IL) High School, furthered his education at Hope College in Holland, MI, for one year, and then completed an agricultural short course at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Ralph met Margene Huizenga in Lansing, IL, and they were married on February 27, 1953, at First Christian Reformed Church in Highland, IN. After a honeymoon to Florida, he farmed with his father. In 1955, Ralph was drafted into the army and served two years in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where he and Margene made many lifelong friends. In 1957, they returned to the family farm in South Holland. Ralph raised many vegetable crops, including tomatoes, sugar beets, onions and more. In 1974, Ralph, Margene and their five children moved to the Manteno (IL) area to farm onion sets, corn and soybeans. When his sons Gary and Bruce took over the farm in 1996, Ralph continued to do errands for them and help in any way he could. He and Margene really loved living on the farm. Ralph’s faith was the center of his life. He was a member of First Reformed Church and had been a member of Faith Reformed Church, both in South Holland. He faithfully brought his family to church every Sunday and also served as a deacon and elder. Meals always began and ended with prayer, and daily Bible reading was a part of his life. When the opportunities arose, Ralph and Margene traveled within and outside of the United States, including mission trips to Ecuador and Honduras. Ralph is survived by his wife of 72 years, Margene; his 5 children: Gary (Janet) of Bradley, IL, Bruce (Cheryl) of Manteno, IL, Marcia (Ron) Davault of Bargersville, IN, Linda (Virgil) Dick of Whitehall, WI, and Kevin of Sycamore, IL; his 9 grandchildren: Scott Paarlberg, Michael Paarlberg, Kristin (Scott) Dykstra, Jason (Amanda) Paarlberg, Becky (Kaleb) Throckmorton, Brian (Brittany) Davault, Julie Dick, Aaron Dekker and Brandon Dick; his 3 great-grandchildren: Cohen, Jaiden and Adylee Dykstra; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Louise Huizenga, Henry Huizenga, Marie Biejes, Joyce (John) Kerssies, and Jacque (Terry) Vander Slik, and 21 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, seven in-laws and two nephews. Visitation will be held at Manteno (IL) Church of the Nazarene, 698 North Locust, on Friday, March 28, 4-7 pm. A Celebration of Life, with Pastor Jack McCormick officiating, will be at the church on Saturday, March 29, 11:00 am, with a 10 am visitation prior to the service. Lunch to follow. Burial will be at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Jensen Funeral Home of Kankakee, IL, is handling the arrangements for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Bible League International in Crete, IL (bibleleague.org).

Ralph E. Paarlberg

April 22, 1931 - March 20, 2025