Ralph "Milton" Campbell

1928 - 2013

NORWOOD, Mo. - Ralph "Milton" Campbell, 84, son of the late Ralph and Edna Mae (Robinson) Campbell, was born on April 14, 1928 in Bremer, Iowa, and passed away Jan. 3, 2013 at his residence in Norwood, Missouri.
Milton grew up and attended school in Stanley, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Exie Alma Kelley on May 9, 1945 in Mtn. Grove, Mo. Seven children were born to this union. Mrs. Campbell passed away 12 days prior to Milton on Dec. 22, 2012.
Milton and Exie raised their family in Iowa, where he was the superintendent for 16 years in the Water Sanitation Department in Oelwein. In 1984 they moved to Norwood, Missouri, where he worked for the city of Norwood in the water department.
At the age 11, Milton got his first guitar. This began a lifelong love of music. He taught himself how to play several instruments and also how to repair radios and electronics.
In 1966, Milton formed the Country Buddies Band that most of his children played in along with a son-in-law. Milton also played in several bands throughout Iowa and Missouri, playing country music at community events and jamborees. He also had a recording studio while living in Iowa. After he gave his heart to the Lord, he played mostly gospel music.
Following their move to Norwood to be near their parents, Milton and Exie opened a music store at their residence, where he taught music lessons and built instruments.
Milton loved his family very much and looked forward to visits from his children and grandchildren. He also liked family get-togethers, which always involved playing music. He enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren and camping. He also liked to fly airplanes, model airplanes, and do woodcarvings.
Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother Richard Ray Campbell; and by one great-grandchild Brandon Kane.
He is survived by three sons, Jim (Jeanie) Campbell of Mtn. Grove, Terry (Kim) Campbell of Warren, Ohio, and Danny Campbell of Norwood; four daughters, Judy (Terry) Kane of Fairbank, Janet (Ron) Fitz of Cortland, Ohio, Cheri (John) Yurtin of Clayton, N.C., and Debbie Klinger of Waterloo; 24 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; one sister Carol Lynn Campbell of Mtn. Grove; two sisters-in-law, Erma (Duane) Forrest of Norwood, and Maxine (Everett) Whited of Woodlake, Calif.; Milton and Exie's personal caregiver Jan Rector, who later became like their eighth child; and a host of other relatives, neighbors, and friends who will sadly miss him.
The Campbell family would like to say a special thank you to Three Rivers Hospice for their care of Milton and Exie.
Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com
Funeral services for Milton Campbell were 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with the Rev. Richard Loughridge officiating. Burial was in the Union Chapel Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Mo.