Obituary

Ralph L. Kreissler, 85, of Rockford, passed away after a short-term illness with cancer on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. Born July 21, 1937, in La Monte, Missouri, the son of Leonard and Ella (Meyer) Kreissler. Veteran and pilot of U.S. Air Force. Ralph married Dorothy E. Eidsvold on December 27, 1961. She predeceased him on October 17, 2006.
Ralph graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Ralph was an entrepreneur and owner of Forest City Machine Works, Inc., HMC Products Inc., and Ekstrom-Carlson, a division of D&R AutoChuck Mfg. He worked behind the scenes on behalf of many organizations that benefited from his quiet leadership and giving, including Rockford Rescue Mission, Zion Development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, Northern Illinois Hospice, The Haven Network, Carpenter's Place, and Midway Village Museum.
Ralph was a former member of Redeemer Lutheran Church for 27 years, and a current member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. He was an elder, usher, and a youth group leader at Mount Olive.
Ralph was a loving, devoted, and dedicated father to four children and loving grandfather of ten, and great grandfather of one. Survived by children, Mark (Connie) Kreissler of Savage, Minn., Lisa (Allen) Derheim of Sammamish, Wash., David (Linda) Kreissler of Rockford, and Todd (Anna) Kreissler of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; grandchildren, Erik, Blake, Gabriella, Nicholas, Grace, Jack, Charlotte, and Ava Kreissler, and Katherine and Lauren Derheim; great granddaughter, Keraleigh Kreissler. A special friend, Arlene Kreissler. Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents and two brothers, James and Ronald Kreissler.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church 2001 N. Alpine Rd., with Rev. David Roskowic. Reception to follow service. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday May 19, 2023 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave, Rockford and 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. prior to the service in the church on Saturday May 20, 2023. Private burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rockford Rescue Mission 715 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102 or Carpenter's Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford, IL 61104. To send a condolence or share a memory, please visit olsonfh.com.
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