Ralph E. "Gene" Seibel, 83, died June 22, 2008, at his home, Hutchinson.

He was born Jan. 16, 1925, in Florence, Ks., to Ernest and Agnes Waner Seibel. He attended school in the Peabody Burns area, graduating in 1942. He also attended Salt City Business College.

Ralph served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1945 as a combat M.P. A resident of Hutchinson since 1947, he owned and operated Seibel's Sign Shop until his retirement.

Ralph was a member of Loyal Order of The Moose No. 982 and was a past member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68 and V.F.W. Bob Campbell Post No. 1361.

On Aug. 17, 1946, he married Mercedes A. Bogner in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include: four sons, Robert, Netherlands, and Richard and companion Nancy Crawford, Ronald and Russell and wife Jo, all of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne and wife Claudia, South Carolina; and two sisters, Marjorie Allen, Lyndon, KS, and Mary Adams and husband Phil, Halstead.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry and Jim; and a sister, Catherine Huddle.

Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2008, in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson, with Chaplain Mark Wiens presiding, with military graveside rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the mortuary.

Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.