Ralph William Sankey 1969-1986

Ralph William Sankey of Argyle was born on May 19, 1969, at Jefferson City, a son of Jerome Norbert and Marita Josephine Reinkemeyer Sankey, and departed this life at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, March 2, 1986, as a result of injuries sustained in a pickup truck accident which occurred one-fourth mile west of Highway 100 on Route C in Osage County.  He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Osage County Coroner, Vernon Morton.  Ralph had attained the age of 16 years, 9 months and 11 days.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown.  He attended Fatima High School, Westphalia, where he was a member of the Junior Class, the School Band, and the Vica Club of which he served as Secretary.


A Rosary Service was held for him at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, March 4, 1086 in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Argyle, with Msgr. Ralph G. Kutz leading.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for him at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, March 5, 1986, in the Fatima High School Gymnasium, Westphalia, with Msgr. Ralph G. Kutz, Msgr. Gerold J. Kaiser, Rev. Richard Cronin and Rev. Peter Walsh celebrating the Mass.  Acolytes for the Mass were Chris Weider, Keith Sankey and Glenn Sankey, and the Fatima High School Chorus sang “The Irish Blessing” for the Mass.

Interment was in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Koeltztown, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Pallbearers were Mike Reinkemeyer, Leonard Reinkemeyer, Mike Schulte, Kurt Tappel, Jeff Schulte, and Jeffery Reinkemeyer.

Spiritual offerings to be applied for Masses according to your preference are preferred by the family of Ralph, and envelopes may be obtained at the Vienna office of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Those left to morn his passing include:  His mother, Mrs. Marita Sankey, of the home near Argyle; two brothers, Roger Sankey, Fort Bliss, Texas, and Mark Sankey of the home; three sisters, Marsha Sankey, Alice Sankey, and Doris Sankey, all of the home; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory F. Sankey, Sr., Argyle; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Reinkemeyer, Argyle; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerome N. Sankey on October 22, 1976.