Ralph Neuenschwander, age 98, of South Wayne, passed away at home on Saturday, July 22, 2023.  Ralph was born in Green County on June 24, 1925 to Fred and Sarah (Sproul) Neuenschwander.  Ralph attended elementary school in Oneco, IL and graduated from Orangeville High School in 1943.  Ralph married the love of his life Margaret Severson on October 4, 1947 at the Argyle Lutheran Church Parsonage; they shared nearly 67 years of marriage together before her passing in 2014.  He frequently said that he was a lucky man to have found Margaret and never stopped missing her presence. 

Ralph and Margaret started farming on a dairy farm south of Monroe, later moving to a farm near Winslow, IL, and then moved to South Wayne to farm for the last 68 years.  Their farming life included dairy and beef cattle, a large hog operation, and growing corn and soy beans.  In his more than 50 years on the family farm, many production improvements were made that gave him great pride.  He and Margaret received the Lafayette County Outstanding Land Conservation Award for their conservation work.  After retirement he would regularly cruise in his truck and check on the crops.  On his drives he would stop at the local coffee shop and visit with friends, where he was never at a loss for words.  Ralph served on the Wayne Township Board as president for several years.  

Ralph is survived by his children, Marcia Teale of Albany, Anita (Steven) Rygh of South Wayne, and Brian (Mary) Neuenschwander of Browntown; grandchildren, Heather (Bob) Jakubek, Marc (Taryn) Teale, Andrea (Nick) Capaul and Allison (Dan Roelke) Rygh; step-grandchildren, Tina (Jon) Schwartzlow, and James Plear; great grandchildren, Ben Teale and Clara Capaul; and step-great-grandchildren, Jadyn and Mikayla Schwartzlow; sisters-in-law, Ruth Miller and Mary Severson. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; son-in-law, Stephen Teale; his siblings and their spouses, Nancy and Glen Bunker, Nathan and Betty Neuenschwander, Fred W. Jr. and Mary Neuenschwander, and Letha Bunnell.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in South Wayne with Pastor Dennis Perger officiating.  Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, South Wayne with a luncheon to follow at church.

A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church.  Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.