Ralph A. Lambrecht, 90, of Yankee Springs Township, MI, formerly of Cape Corral, FL, and East Moline, IL, died Friday, January 23, 2015, at Wings of Hope Hospice, Allegan, MI. Visitation will be noon - 1:00 PM Friday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 1:00PM. Burial will be 2 PM at the Rock Island National Cemetery, where the East Moline American Legion Post 227 will conduct military honors. Ralph was born to Cyriel and Bertha Goethals Lambrecht on November 27, 1924 in East Moline, IL. He graduated early from East Moline High School to enlist in the Navy. He served as a Torpedo Man 2nd Class on escort aircraft carriers in the South Pacific during WWII. In 1949 he married Louise Huyvaert, later marrying Deloris Schultz in 2003. Ralph was always a hard worker, beginning as a small child when he would walk the railroad tracks during the depression to gather coal, to bringing meat home from his job at DeKeere's Grocery store and Balkan's Meat Market as a young teen. He spent many years running Gus's Happy Corner and Gannon's Tavern until 1960, when he became co-owner and manager of Landuit's Lake Resort. While running "The Lake" he also sold real estate and was a real estate developer, building apartments and homes. He was a fifty year member of the American Legion, a lifetime AMVET member, and a member of the East Moline Rotary until his retirement. After his retirement he split his time between Florida and Illinois, then Florida and Michigan after his marriage to Dee. If Ralph was not working, he was usually outside hunting, fishing, playing golf, gardening, or riding his bike! "Papa Ralph" loved taking his grandchildren on outdoor adventures which usually ended in much story telling and laughter. Memories of nature walks, fishing, wrestling around, playing Euchre and Gin Rummy, and sneaking baby rabbits that the grandchildren could hold and pet into Grandma's house for Easter are among just a few that will warm our hearts and soothe our sorrow. Ralph had a gift for meeting people and making lifelong friends. He will be missed and never forgotten. Ralph is survived by his wife Dee; sons, Gregory (Cheryl) Lambrecht, Morton, IL, Gary (Zoe) Lambrecht, Valrico, FL; daughters, Joyce (Dennis) Sedam, Centennial, CO, Diane (Steve) Charles, Santa Barbara, CA, Beth (Kirk) Wainwright, Hillsdale, IL; an "honorary" son, Jerry (Marsha) Irvine, Moline, IL; thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, George (Rachel) Lambrecht, Albert (Linda) Lambrecht; sisters, Margaret Drobushevich, and Gabriella (Dwight) Dopler. Ralph is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law, Helene (Robert) Verstraete, brother-in-law George Drobushevich, and a great-grandson, Junior Sulzbach. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the East Moline American Legion or Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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