Ralph E. May

Ralph Edward May, 91, of Shelbyville, IL, formerly of Westervelt, passed away at 10:55 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Shelbyville Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Tom Bray officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24th in the funeral home. Burial will be in Traughber Cemetery, Moweaqua, IL. Memorials may be given to Blessings in a Backpack or Shelby County Community Services Activity Fund. Send condolences to www.howeandyockey.com

Ralph was born on September 3, 1934, in Moweaqua, IL, the son of Raymond “Bunt” and Verna R. (Pleasant) May. He attended Moweaqua schools and began working at Caterpillar at the age of 17. He married Joyce Schnute on December 21, 1952, in Pana, IL. In his early years, Ralph ran a grocery store in Westervelt that later turned into “The Shed”: a gathering place with monthly music, candy and “sody” for the kids in town and where he started the annual Westervelt Christmas Party. While working in Decatur, Ralph began selling Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners, which eventually led to him opening May’s Vacuum Repair. Ralph was always piddling around with something, fixing things that were broken, and never passed up a good sale or the chance to tell you that the Cardinals were better than the Cubs. Ralph served on the Shelby County Board for 22 years, the Shelby County 708 Board for Mental Health, and was a member of UAW Local 751. He was also a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church in Westervelt and Westervelt Christian Church. Ralph enjoyed fishing and gardening, had thirty of everything and never let you leave his house empty-handed. Ralph never knew a stranger and was so proud of his family, especially his great grandchildren.

Ralph is survived by his son, Michael May and wife Vicki of Shelbyville; daughters, Linda May and LuAnn May both of Shelbyville, IL; granddaughters, Rebecca Miller and husband Nathan and Danielle Culberson and husband Eric both of Shelbyville, IL; four great grandchildren, Adalynn and Jaden Miller, and Kenly and Jed Culberson; and one bonus great grandson from Spain, Rai Serrano.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce on September 26, 2017; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Mary Lewis, Kenneth and Jane Gilpin and June and Delmar McDonald; and nephews, Kenny Lynn Gilpin and Phil McDonald.

The family would like to thank the staff at Shelbyville Manor for the love and care they gave to Ralph.