Ralph "Jr" Laird Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ralph Laird of Chariton, Iowa passed away February 21, 2018 at the Iowa City Rehabilitation Center in Iowa City, Iowa. Visitation for Ralph will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Monday, February 26th, 2018 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville. Ralph’s family will greet friends during this time. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2018, also at the Winfield Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Olson officiating. Burial will follow services at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Ralph was born on February 16, 1934 in Attica, Iowa. He is the son of Ralph Lawrence and Emma Bell (Lundy) Laird. Ralph attended the Attica School. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Ralph lived in Arkansas. He then held dual residency in both Arkansas and Iowa for over 20 years before making permanent residency in Iowa. In 1956, Patricia Wright and to this union were three children; Janice, Virginia, and Sherry. Their marriage later dissolved. Ralph was later remarried and was blessed with another daughter, Teresa. Ralph was united in marriage to Bonnie Mae (James) on May 1st, 1986 in Columbia, Iowa at the family farm. They lived there for several years before moving to Chariton, Iowa where the currently reside. To this union four children were born Michael, Kathie, Nathan, and Annie; they were all raised both in the Columbia home and in the Chariton home. Ralph worked many different jobs while growing up; he milked cows, worked on the Pella damn, worked a factory, but his most recent occupation was scrapping iron before retiring because of his health. Ralph raised many children including: Janice Barber of Des Moines, Virginia (Dan) Hubler of Columbia, Sherry Laird of Chariton, Teresa Colyn of Pella, Michael James of Chariton, Kathie Gray of Washington, Nathan (Katlyn) James of Russell, Annie Laird of Chariton; two sisters, Elma Small of Des Moines and Velma Brock of Knoxville; many grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Emma Laird; one granddaughter, Stacey DeRaad, one sister, Dorothy Laird; five brothers, Lawrence, Amos, Dale, Gene, and Mart Laird.

Ralph "Jr" Laird

February 16, 1934 - February 21, 2018