Ralph Virgil Keyes Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Ralph Virgil Keyes Jr., age 74, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Muskegon on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. He was born in Muskegon on February 25, 1951 to Ralph Virgil and Lillian Arlene (Stebelton) Keyes Sr. Ralph served for two and a half years in the United States Army and was deployed to Vietnam. He then spent over 30 years serving in the Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2005, stationed only 30 miles from his son, Ryan. Ralph was employed as a Millwright for Eagle Ottawa Leather and later worked in Environmental Services at Mercy Health Partners prior to his retirement in 2020. He enjoyed traveling, visiting family, and watching Nascar, baseball, and hockey. Ralph and the former Judy Elaine Schnick blended their two families over 35 years ago, and Judy survives him along with his children, Jennifer (Mike) Smith, Erin (Collin) Brooks, and Ryan (Sarah) Keyes; Judy’s children, Eric (Janet) Vanderstelt, Lori (Tom) Folger, Kristi (Ronald) Calhoun, and Richard (Kelly) Gunderman; 20 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, John (Lynn) Keyes. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Keyes. SERVICES will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Servies, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Burial will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery. MEMORIALS in memory of Ralph may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the National VFW Association. You may sign his online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com
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