Ralph Goodman 'Hack' Wallace
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ralph Goodman "Hack" Wallace, 89, of Hammond, Ind., formerly of Galatia, passed away at 11:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at Community Hospital, Munster, Ind.
Ralph was born Sept. 12, 1919, in Galatia to Otis Goodman and Ethel (Hammack) Wallace.
He is survived by two daughters, Pamela Faye Wallace of Mesa, Ariz. and Kimberly Wallace Ewing of Hammond, Ind.; one grandson, Joshua Benjamin Ewing of Hammond; one niece, Doris Ann (Jerry) Hearring of Flora; one nephew, Dale Wallace of Hammond, Ind.; one stepbrother, Paul H. "Blackie"(Lucille) Lewis of Pope County; one sister-in-law, Pearl Wallace of Clinton, Ind.; one step sister-in-law, Ethel Lewis of Inverness, Fla.; and first cousins, Bob (Shirley) Wallace of Galatia, William Otis, Bonnie Wallace Butler, Carl Benjamin, Harry Randall, Bobby Gene, and Dean (Diz) Wallace of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Myrtle Lewis Wallace; two brothers, Gene (Marie) Wallace; John (Lavada) Wallace; infant sister; half-brothers and sister, James M. Wallace, David Donald Wallace and Alberta Jean Wallace; stepbrothers, Maynard Lewis, Leeman Lewis and Phillip Lewis; one nephew, Otis Hampton Wallace; and one niece, Susan Jane Wallace.
He was truly one of the greatest generation; fighting for survival and freedom in World War II. He was engaged in full time service in the 115th regiment of the 29th Infantry Division that landed in Normandy, France on Omaha Beach, June 7, 1944, D-Day plus one. He saw action in northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. After the war, he was a steelworker for Inland Steel in Hammond, Ind., No. 2 Open Hearth, B.O.F. and a member of the Local Steelworkers Union No. 1010 until his retirement in 1981. He was also a 50-year member of Hammond Moose Lodge 570.
He was an avid golfer, horse racing enthusiast and a devout baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was beloved by many close friends throughout his life.
Arrangements and visitation are in the charge of Sloan Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at Webber Campground Cemetery, Galatia, with the Rev. John Hawkins officiating.