Ralph Smith

Ralph and Jolene Smith entered into rest together while in flight to their home on Sunday, October 4th, 2009. Ralph Raymond Smith, Sr. was born July 10, 1935 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania to Raymond Oscar Smith and Johanna Maire Henkels. He graduated from Spring City High School and later attended Parks College recieving his pilots certificates following his schooling he served in the U.S. Air Force. During his service in the military he married Jolene Bailey September 10, 1955 in East St. Louis, Illinois. Following his military service they returned to Cahokia, Il where Ralph earned his flight instructors rating at Parks College after which he preceded to Maine where he flew crop dusters and hunting parties into Canada. Afterwards he began working for Westinghouse as a pilot. He later flew for Eastern Airlines for over 32 years as well as United Express and Ryan International. He and Jolene came to Arizona 9 years ago settling in Aguila at Eagle's Roost Air Park where they remained actively flying. Ralph and Jolene enjoyed, flying, R.V.-ing, motorcycles, camping and traveling. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wickenburg, American Legion, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, QB's (Quiet Birdmen), Silver Falcons, Goldwing Roadriders Association, Short Wing Piper Club and the Comanche Society. Jolene Bailey Smith was born January 22, 1938 in Cahokia, Illinois to Loren Bailey and Margaret Draper Bailey. She was raised there and attended schools there. She married Ralph after high school and they moved to Gallup, New Mexico shortly thereafter to be together during Ralph's military service. They later returned to Cahokia, Illinois where she was a homemaker and mother and also began a career in banking and worked in all capacities in banking eventually as a bank manager. Jolene was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wickenburg. Surviving family include sons: Ralph R. Smith, Jr.(Sherri) of Du Quoin, Illinois and Dwight L. Smith (Sonya) of Culpeper, Virginia. Grandchildren: Erin Muchowski of Roebling N.J., Ryan Smith of Richmond, VA., Kyle Smith & Nicholas Smith of Culpeper, VA. a great-grandhild Ava Grace Muchowski and sister Patricia Gallow of Phoenixville, PA. Memorial contributions in Ralph and Jolene's memory may be made to the American Heart Assoication at americanheart.org