On December 28, 2024, we said goodbye to a remarkable man, Ralph Leon Bernal, born on November 17, 1938, in Cherryvale, KS. Ralph was a man of many talents and interests, but above all, he loved spending his time with his granddaughters.
In his lifetime, Ralph had a myriad of achievements. As a young teen, Ralph taught himself to play drums and left home. He was a professional drummer, playing for several bands, and had a passion for country swing music. Ralph also loved classic cars, not only restoring and rebuilding many vehicles over time, but also joining car clubs, parades, and other functions over the years. The same hands that tuned drums and rebuilt cars also maintained facilities with the utmost care and dedication. Ralph survived cancer three times throughout his life. He was truly a man of many talents and great strength. His love for music, classic cars, and family reflected his creative spirit and his relentless determination.
Ralph was a resident of Coffeyville, Kansas, after having been born and raised in Cherryvale and the Parsons area. Widowed, he was the beloved husband of the late Geraldine Bernal. He is survived by his children Angelina (Derek) Vaughters, their daughters Leia and Charlotte, Leona (Brett) Trotnic, Christopher (Becky) Bernal, son Ralph Bernal Jr. and his stepdaughters Jacquelyn (Gary) Coble, Becky (Frank) Padilla and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Roberta Kroger and Matilda Reed. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Hermenia Bernal, his brothers Jesse Bernal, and Gabriel Bernal, his sisters Ruth Riggs, Petra Bernal, Lorenza Scandoval, and his step-son Billy Watkins.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at David W. Barnes Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 am at Holy Name Catholic Church, 408 Willow St., Coffeyville, Kansas, 67337. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony next to his wife in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the St Jude Children's Hospital and they may be left with or sent in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, Kansas, 67337.
