Ralph W. Hemmer, 84, of Du Quoin, passed away at 9:55 A.M., Monday, November 30, 2020 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Ralph had been an Illinois State Trooper. He then worked at the Freeman #11 Coal Mine as a 3rd shift mine manager. Ralph was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War. Ralph had been a member of the Du Quoin Elks Lodge and past Exalted Ruler. He had played the Easter bunny for the Elks events. He was also a member of SAS Cowboy Shooting (Lemmy), Knights of Columbus in Du Quoin, and A-Wa-We-Go Camping Club. Ralph was a member of the Du Quoin Tourism Board and had played Santa Clause for the city's tourism events.

He was born March 12, 1936 at Du Quoin, IL, the son of Herman and Catherine (Schneider) Hemmer.

He married Shirley J. McMurray on April 27, 1957 at Du Quoin, IL and she preceded him in death on August 13, 1997. He then married Sharon K. (Feltmeyer) Jennings on April 24, 1999 at Du Quoin, IL and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, two daughters - Cindy Heisner and husband Jim and Kelly Phillips (Danny Queen), of Pinckneyville, three step children - Rhonda Knapp and husband Jeff of Du Quoin, Michael Shane Jennings and wife Marci of Imperial, MO, and Wade Jennings and wife Chrissy of Valier, four grandchildren - Kristen Martin and husband Justin of Pinckneyville, Jimmy Heisner of Van Nuys, CA, Abram Phillips and wife Jessica of Nashville, Christopher Phillips of Pinckneyville, step grandchildren - Kelsie Williams of Miami, OK, Kirsten Gill of Pinckneyville, Brady Knapp of Du Quoin, Jessica Jennings of Arkansas, Zackary Jennings of Arkansas and Peyton Jennings of Valier, four great grandchildren - Lance Martin, Callie Martin, Olivia Phillips, and Madilynn Phillips, four step great grandchildren and one step great grandchild due in May, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, and two sisters - Brenda Summers and Delores McCrary.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 P.M., Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin with Fr. Joseph Oganda officiating.

Please use social distancing guidelines. Everyone in attendance is required to wear a mask.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army National Guard.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin, IL.

Friends may make memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin or Sunfield United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.