Photo By Todd Mizener
The body of Hero Street’s oldest veteran was laid to rest as memories held dear by his family, and the many who thought of him as family, live on.
Louis Angel Ramirez, father of nine and known as “Uncle Louie” to many others, died Tuesday, August 5 at 12:15 p.m. at Aspen Rehab & Health Care, Silvis. He and his wife, Mary, would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Aug. 18. His 90th birthday would have been Sept. 1.
Born in East Moline, Mr. Ramirez spent a few years in Arizona before returning to Silvis and, appropriately, Hero Street where more than 100 men and women shared his armed forces service.
Before entering a nursing home the last year and a half, he lived directly across the alley from the Hero Street Monument.
“Every summer we’d sit out and say, ‘Are they ever going to build that monument in my lifetime?’” Mrs. Ramirez said. “The saddest thing is he never got to see the dedication of the monument.”
A proud but humble military veteran, Mr. Ramirez earned two bronze stars, the Infantry Combat Badge and a number of other honors as a Private First Class. He was a squad leader during the American offensive at Guadalcanal, at the battle of Northern Solomons and in other assignments.
Former Silvis mayor Joe Terronez said Mr. Ramirez deserved all the honors he could get, both for his service to his country and to his community.
“He’ll really be missed,” Mr. Terronez said. “He was a responsible man for his family and he had quite a family — quite a wife and quite a family.”
Silvis 1st Ward Ald. Bob Cervantes said Mr. Ramirez was like a second father to him. His own passed away at the age of 50.
“He was just a great person overall. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do,” Ald. Cervantes said. “He was proud of being a veteran, he was proud of his family, and he had a constant smile on his face.
“He was just something special to the community and to Hero Street, Silvis.”
Mrs. Ramirez said her husband had great respect for military service, but did not like to talk about his war experiences. She recalled his stories of being lost in the jungle and, unaware of what day it was, he began praying the Saints’ Days.
He promised God that, if he could return and get married, he would name his first child after the Saint Day on which he was found. True to his promise, his first born child, Martina, was named after St. Martina for the day he made his way back.
Along with Martina Wassenhove, his children are Victoria Dumoulin, Rosemary Korty, Louis Ramirez, Linda Roseman, Steve Ramirez, Robert Ramirez, James Ramirez and Susan Young. Many of their descendants entered or married into the military, Mrs. Ramirez said. “He was darn proud of those kids,” she added.
In addition to 27 grandchildren, Mr. Ramirez’s nature enchanted many other children who called him “Uncle Louie.”
“So many kids — not even related to us,” Mrs. Ramirez remembered fondly. In fact, so many children came to their home that their basement was always filled with people playing foosball or pool, Mrs. Ramirez said. Their backyard never had grass, she added, because so many kids were playing in it.
Mr. Ramirez was active, too, and his family recalled his play on the semi-pro Rebels and Mexican Aces teams. Ms. Roseman remembered her father as always the first to start a game of volleyball or badminton. She also remembered him exercising – with weights, bicycling and walking all over Silvis.
On Tuesday, his children shared special memories of their kitchen serving as a stage for accordions, bongos and other instruments. Mr. Ramirez played guitar and, with his brother and best friend, Joe, sang ballads and mariachi songs in Spanish.
“They were just a year apart in age,” Mrs. Ramirez said. “And what one did the other did.”
After retiring from International Harvester, Mr. Ramirez worked, with his wife, as a custodian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis. A devoted member of the church, he served on the parish council. He also was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8890.
As the family finalized funeral arrangements, they said they are certain of one thing.
“He was well loved, well liked and will be well missed,” said his son Robert Ramirez.
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