Ralph Whiting

Ralph J. Whiting, age 74, of Altus, OK, formerly of Milbank, SD, passed from this life on Friday, November 20, 2020, at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Milbank.  Father Gary DeRouchey will officiate.  Military honors will be provided by American Legion Birch-Miller Post #9, V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486, V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter 1054, and D.A.V. Chapter #19. All friends and family are invited to attend.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable below this obituary.

Ralph was born in Grant County, SD, to Ralph and Hildegard (Ehlebracht) Whiting on February 4, 1946. He attended kindergarten through high school in Milbank, SD, graduating in May 1964. He enlisted in the US Air Force in July 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Kay Bue, on February 19, 1966, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Altus.

Ralph served in the US Air Force for 22 years and retired as a SMSgt. He was a C-141 and later a C-5 Flight Engineer serving during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force in 1986 he worked for Flight Safety International as a Flight Engineer Instructor and Courseware developer until he retired.

He was involved in Habitat for Humanity, American Legion and Knights of Columbus (4th Degree). Ralph was an avid woodworker and enjoyed fishing and traveling in his RV. He sang in church choirs in Milbank and Altus and taught confirmation class at Prince of Peace in Altus.

He is preceded in death by his fathe,r Ralph Whiting; mother, Hilgard (Ehlebracht) Whiting; son, Jason R. Whiting; sister, Lila Dornbusch, a brother, Roy Whiting and brother-in-law, Delmer Laskowske.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Sandra Kay of Altus, OK; daughter, Elizabeth Whiting of Altus, OK; grandchildren: Zachary Wylie Ft. Worth, TX, Andrew Whiting and Claire Rose Whiting of McEwen, TN, sisters: Lucille Whiting, Luella Laskowske, Lois (Dennis) Unzicker, Loretta (Myron) Maass, Linda (Gary) Rethke; brother, Roger (Sandy) Whiting; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Whiting; brother-in-law, Dale Dornbusch; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to The American Heart Association.