Ralph Lytle

PEORIA - Ralph I. Lytle, 88, of Peoria, formerly of Lake Bluff, Ill., passed away at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, at Proctor Hospital.

Born Aug. 17, 1918, in Brazil, Ind., to Clarence and Hallie Plum Lytle, he married Florence Lois Rygel on Aug. 3, 1944, in Chicago. Florence preceded Ralph to Heaven on Aug. 13, 1997, in Peoria.

He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Doris and Jane.

Surviving are two daughters, Laura L. Beckenbaugh and Joann L. (Brad) Kempthorne, both of Peoria; one son, Robert G. (Barb) Lytle of Lithia, Fla.; six granddaughters; one brother, Jim Lytle of Wichita, Kan.; and one sister, Margaret Ann Oaks of Canyon, Colo.

During World War II, Ralph was a U.S. Army inspector in Chicago. Then, he joined the U.S. Navy as a commanding officer in medical research for the Hospital Corps Division in Chicago, Ill., Northwestern University and Great Lakes Medical Research, where he was the director of medical research.

Ralph graduated from Bradley University.

Cmdr. Lytle was listed in Who's Who in America for his medical research achievements on DNA as well as anthrax testing.

He has co-authored more than 35 articles for several scientific journals. He was the head of laboratories services in Guam, a U.S. territory. There, he was also cited for his assistance of the Indochina refugees.

Ralph was a life member of American Legion Post 264 in Lake Forest, Ill. He was also a grand knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 1268 in Lake Forest, Ill.

An avid tennis player until his passing, he loved sports and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was loved and touched by so many in this world. Ralph was a true gentlemen, we will always remember.

Ralph attended St. Jude Catholic Church in Peoria.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Wright and Salmon Mortuary, with the Rev. Bruce Lopez officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary and 30 minutes before the services. He will be laid to rest next to his wife at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lake Forest, Ill., where a graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.