Ralph Edward Tozer Obituary (1940 - 2013)

Ralph E. Tozer 73, of Decatur, passed away at 2:20 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2013, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. A service to celebrate Ralph's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2013, at Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. Till 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Ralph was born December 22, 1940, the son of Byron and Ruth (Lindsay) Tozer. He married his best friend and love of his life Mary F. Coulson on February 15, 1963. Ralph graduated from Stephen Decatur High School and spent many of his childhood days at his Uncle's pool hall where he became a Snooker champion. He worked at A.E. Staley Company for over thirty years until his retirement. Although he worked every different shift at Staley's, he never missed any of his kid's ballgames. He coached little league for his son's teams and was loved by all of his players. Ralph was the neighborhood Dad and always opened his home to everyone. Ralph began a business venture with his best friend Jerry "J. Bob" Shaw. They owned and operated Ralph's Westside Bar and Grill and R.J.'s Bar and Grill. Ralph never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. But what Ralph was most proud of was his family and especially his grandchildren. Ralph leaves to cherish his legacy his wife of fifty years: Mary of Decatur; children: Mike Tozer of Charleston, Tom Tozer and his wife Theressa of Decatur; his baby-girl: Mary M. Tozer of Decatur; like-children: Tiffany Hall, Jim and Sarah Hall; grandchildren: Willy, Wesley, Dianna, Brooke, Kennedy, Brian, Claire, and Kyler. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Charles; nephew: Scott; his loyal dog: Dolly; and his best friend: Jerry "J. Bob" Shaw.