Ralph Edward Schiffgens

Ralph Edward Schiffgens – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend – passed away at home in Ottawa, IL on Monday, July 11, 2022 at age 89.

Ralph was born to Henry and Ann Marie (McCormick) Schiffgens on January 19, 1933. He graduated from Marquette High School before enlisting in the Navy and serving during the Korean War. Then, he had a career as a pipefitter for locals 81 and 597.

Ralph married Dorothy (Williams) on July 3, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Streator. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary surrounded by their large family on July 3rd.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and six children: Denise (Robert) Jessen Rosencrans of Ottawa; Mark (Cindy) Schiffgens of Austin, TX; Mary (Joseph) Tabone of Sycamore; John (Fawn) Schiffgens of Ottawa; Karl (Denise) Schiffgens of Ottawa; and Holly (Keith) McLaughlin Reed of Mt. Prospect. He is also survived by his siblings, Evelyn (Pete) Zabawa; George Schiffgens; and Thomas (Mary) Schiffgens.

They are proud grandparents of twenty: Alicia Shea, Emily Davis, William Jessen III, Natalie Kinney, Megan DeMoss, Sarah Carey, Thomas Schiffgens, Christopher Tabone, Leah Tabone, Ashley Schiffgens, John Schiffgens, Joshua Schiffgens, Alyssa Schiffgens, Angela Schiffgens, Alexis Schiffgens, Joseph Schiffgens, Brianna McLaughlin, David McLaughlin, and Daniel McLaughlin.

Additionally, Ralph and Dorothy have eighteen great grand-children… and counting!

Ralph was a respected member of the community involved in numerous organizations. He was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and a  member of several groups including The Knights of Columbus, The American Legion, and VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ann Marie Schiffgens; sister, Alice Pitstick; granddaughter, Theresa Tabone; and son-in-law, William Chester Jessen II.

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 16, at Ottawa Funeral Home from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church at 11:30 AM.  Pallbearers are Ralphs’s grandsons- William Jessen III, Thomas Schiffgens, Christopher Tabone, John Schiffgens, Joshua Schiffgens, David McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin, and Joseph Schiffgens.  Burial with military rites will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Francis of Assisi Church.