Dr. Ralph Hulen age 87 of Bowling Green passed away Monday February 4, 2008 at the Maple Grove Nursing Facilities in Louisiana.  Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday February 8 at the First Christian Church in Bowling Green with Rev. Ray McLaren officiating.  Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Louisiana.  Visitation will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

            He was born May 30, 1920 in Centralia, the son of Mason Enoch and Jennie Campbell Sappington Hulen.  On December 25, 1945 in Columbia, he married Betty Nordyke.  She survivies.  Also surviving are one son Gary R. Hulen and wife Janie of Paris; one daughter Margaret Ann Patton of Bowling Green; 7 grandchildren Michael D. Hulen and wife Deena of Hallsville, James W. Patton and wife Sheila of Louisiana, Lisa M. Banegas and husband Ari  of Miami, FL.; Ann E. Patton of Bowling Green, Gary R. Hulen Jr. and wife Amber of O’Fallon, Timothy Eric Hulen of Columbia, Joshua S. Hulen and wife Megan of Madison; Great grandchildren Kelsey, Kala, Taylor, Gage, Zachary, Elizabeth, Ashley, Jacqueline, Nathan and Emily; three brothers Stanley B. Hulen of Dallas, TX., C. F. Hulen of Moberly, Robert W. Hulen of Salem AR.; brother-in-law Lester D. Nordyke who was a partner in the practice. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Carl Hulen; sisters Marion Kinkead and Ruth Burson.

He grew up in Centralia and graduated from Centralia High School.  He attended the University of Missouri Columbia.  He left school his senior year when WWII broke out but was awarded his B. S. in agriculture after he returned from serving his country in the Army.  During his time in the Army he was an Executive Officer in the medical core which served on the front line during the war.  Following his marriage in 1945, he went to East Lansing Michigan and earned his Masters Degree in Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State in 1949.  Upon completion of his degree he took a clinic for a short time in Fulton before moving to Bowling Green to take over a clinic.  He was in practice for 33 years.  Upon retiring, he worked for the USDA as a veterinarian inspector.   He was an avid fisherman and raised catfish in his ponds.   

Pallbearers will be Dr. James W. Mills, James W. Patton, Michael D. Hulen, Gary R. Hulen Jr., Timothy Eric Hulen and Joshua S. Hulen.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church or to the donors choice.