LARNED — Ralph E. Strobel, 80, died March 16, 2012 at Hutchinson Regional Hospital.
Ralph was born April 20, 1931 on the family farm near Seward, the son of George and Sadie Strobel.
Ralph was a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; five sons, Dennis, Terry, Rick, Jerry and David, all of Topeka; (their mother Joann Strobel, Wichita); two stepsons, Dale Helmick and Todd Coffman; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Roland Strobel, Seward; George Strobel, Great Bend; four sisters, Pauline Schartz, Geneseo; Virginia Smith, Hobart, Okla.; JoAnn McElroy, Chetopa; Ruth Johnson, Great Bend; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Richard and Ray and a great-grandchild.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend. A Funeral Mass is scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday, March 23 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend. 
Memorials are suggested to Valley Hope or Sunrise, Inc., in care of St. Patrick Catholic Church. 

Great Bend Tribune, March 20, 2012