Ralph Edmond Belcher

Ralph Edmond Belcher, 82, died in his home at LaCygne, Ks. on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009. Ralph had battled cancer, since 2007. Ralph was born in El Dorado Springs, Mo. on Dec. 4, 1926 to George W. and Effie Dyor Belcher. Ralph served in World War II from February 1945 to July 1946. Ralph started cooking at an early age. His first job at cooking was at the White Grill in Nevada. He moved to Ft. Scott in 1949. He worked at the Colonial White Grill, the Nu Grill and Bright's Grill before leaving his longtime profession of cooking in the year 2000 due to a stroke. He married Doris K. Duncan on July 26, 1982 in Miami, Oklahoma. He moved to LaCygne, Ks in 2001 with his wife Doris & three granddaughters. Ralph was a member of the Faith Christian Center. He also was a lifetime member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 V.F.W. Ralph enjoyed collecting clocks.

Survivors include his wife Doris; three sons, Dwight Belcher and wife Christy, Fort Scott, Duane Belcher, Nevada, Steve Belcher and wife Brooke, Fort Scott; four daughters, Debbie Belcher, Tanya and family, Fort Scott, and Katelyn Belcher, Fort Scott; Maylan and Taylor Belcher, of the home. Also surviving are two stepsons, Patrick Duncan Williams, Murray, Ky., Matthew Huggins and wife Barbara, Lenexa, Kan.; five stepdaughters, Becky Cowlishaw, Fort Scott, Cheryl Cowlishaw and husband Jim, Fort Scott, Gail Windsor and husband Paul, Kansas City, Mo., Deana Butler, Fulton, Kan., Jeanie Mataya, Fort Scott; one brother, Bill Belcher and wife Connie of Webb City, Mo., one sister, Ruby Guinn of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; two sister-in-laws, Shirley Chambers, of LaCygne, Kan, Donna Parker, of Louisburg, Kan., and a brother-in-law, Dean Duncan and wife Barbara, LaCygne; 22 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and many friends including those who learned from Ralph the art of fry cooking. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Floyd, Carl, Orville and Bob Belcher and two sisters, Geneva and Wilma.

Dr. Jeff Fulk will conduct funeral services at 7 p.m., Thursday in the LaCygne Christian Church, 406 N. Broadway. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m., until service time at the church. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m.. Friday in the U.S. National Cemetery with Military Honors by the V.F.W. The family will receive friends in Fort Scott at Cheney Witt Chapel, Friday, from 12:30 p.m., until leaving for the National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either the LaCygne Christian Church or a Ralph Belcher Memorial Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

View obituary online at www.cheneywitt.com.