Ralph Herman (Hopper) Wildhaber, of Argyle, was born on January 22, 1929, at Argyle, in Osage County, a son of Edwin Vincent and Genevieve Catherine (Renfert) Wildhaber, with Ralph being the first of their six children to pass away. He had been in failing health for the past eight months and departed this life at 8:10 a.m., on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, in the Castleparke Assisted Living Center, Jefferson City. Ralph had attained the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 23 days.

He was united in marriage on October 15, 1949, at Freeburg, to the former Miss Arlene Lucia Luetkemeyer, and to this union, nine children were born.

Ralph owned and operated Wildhaber's Store, in Argyle, for over forty years and was very active in the community for most of his adult life. He helped form the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department, was a Civil Defense program administrator, and was one of the few "first responders" before the term became universally recognized. As such, he had the misfortune, yet honor, of being with several of his close friends when they died. He was a fierce supporter of the Argyle Knights of Columbus Council 2047 and had held the position of Financial Secretary as well as being a member of the Msgr. Ralph Kutz, PAS 4th Degree Assembly, and a lifetime member of the St. Aloysius Parish. Following the sale of his business in 1987, he tried retirement and filled his time by taking positions with the Census Bureau, planting pine trees for the forestry service, and being employed by the Shryack Hirst Grocery Company, Jefferson City, until his retirement at age 75.

Ralph loved to work and stay busy and always enjoyed antique cars and trucks, wheeling and dealing in guns and boats, and nearly anything of interest that had value. An avid fisherman, there was rarely anything that gave him as much joy as landing a huge Flathead from the Osage River or catching his limit of Crappie at the Lake of the Ozarks. Camping on the Osage River, near St. Elizabeth, became a yearly excursion which he eagerly anticipated and was able to attend this past October of 2016. In retirement, he spent his time mowing the grass at the family home, cutting wood, and piddling at his "farm" in Maries County.

The ultimate pleasure for Ralph was being surrounded by his family and catching up on the activities of his kids and grandkids, as well as heading out to the pond with the guys to shoot guns or cast a quick line in the water to see what was biting. He was happiest just doing something.

Those left to mourn the passing of Ralph include: His devoted wife of over sixty-seven years, Arlene Wildhaber, of the home; his nine children: Thomas Wildhaber (Peggy) of Argyle; John Wildhaber (friend Sandy), and Nora Bock (Randy), all of Westphalia; Michael Wildhaber (Gloria), Dana Wildhaber (Darlene), and Monica Wildhaber, all of Jefferson City; Marla Wilson (Randi) of Holts Summit; Lisa Wildhaber (friend Eddie) of Folk; and Jeff Wildhaber (Kathy) of Lohman; twenty-one grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; his five siblings: Bernice Schmitz of Argyle, and Marcie Branum, Doris Wankum (Greg), and Kenneth Wildhaber, all of Jefferson City, and Francis Wildhaber (MaryAnn) of Freeburg; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin, on December 11, 1971; his mother, Genevieve, on August 30, 1998; and one grandson, Cody Jerard Wilson, on April 26, 1988.