Ralph B. Rowe, 87, of Swansea, IL, born Saturday, June 11, 1938, in Des Moines, IA, passed away Monday, May 11, 2026 at his residence in Swansea, IL.
Ralph was a United States Air National Guard Veteran. The owner of R Jones Auto Body he also worked for Bob Brown Chevrolet and Farm Bureau as a senior damage appraiser where he retired. He was one of many who helped start the Des Moines dragway. He raced independently with NHRA Division 5 Top Fuel and Funny Cars. His other passion was playing golf and trying to teach anyone who would listen about golf.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Clarence W. and Hazel Irene, nee Ross, Rowe
- Sister: Bonnie Bainter
- Brother: Clarence A. Rowe
Surviving are his:
- Wife of 67 years: Judy Ann, nee Ackerlund, Rowe of Swansea, IL
- Children:
- Kelly (Kim) Rowe of Ankeny, IA
- Kevin (Hope) Rowe of Tucson, AZ
- Kirk (Brenda) Rowe of Altoona, IA
- Kris (Lisa) Rowe of Swansea, IL
- 9 Grandchildren:
- Mark (Brian) Rowe-Barth
- Whitney (Patrick) Shannon
- Ryan (Laura) Rowe
- Christopher (Francesca) Rowe
- Kyle (Ryan) Hosler
- Peyton (Donald) Carolus
- Tyler Rowe
- Brett Rowe
- Kalea Rowe
- 7 Great-Grandchildren:
- Liam
- Finnegan
- Ronan
- Jackson
- Lucas
- Kyler
- Conner
- Niece: Donna Irwin
- Nephew: Ron Rowe
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Services: Celebration of Life will be held at a later date will be in Des Moines, IA.
