Ralph J. Gertz, 88, of Ironwood, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at his daughter's home in Midland.      He was born Jan. 25, 1923, in Verona Location, Wakefield, son of the late Joseph and Delia (Roverato) Gertz. He attended St. Ambrose schools in Ironwood, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1941. He then was employed as a meatcutter at Reid's Market in downtown Ironwood.      Ralph entered the U.S. Army on Jan. 18, 1943, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a corporal on Jan. 25, 1946. Following his discharge, he returned to Ironwood and worked at the Roddis Lumber Mill, for the City of Ironwood at the city gas plant, and as a truck driver for Reinerio Distributing until injury forced his retirement.      Ralph was a member of Ironwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1823 and Northland Chapter No. 66, Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed roller skating in his younger years, hunting and fishing, and loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.      On July 19, 1947, he was married to Ilta M. Hautamaki at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Msgr. J.B. Moriarity. Ilta preceded him in death on April 19, 2002.      Surviving are a daughter, Mary Eileen "Meg" (Ted) Eastling, Midland; six grandchildren, Rachel, Jeremy, Amy, Aaron, Stephanie and Stacey; six great-grandchildren, Danielle, Zachary, Sydney, Olivia, Aiden and Jordan; a sister, Leona Lerza, Ocala, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers-and-sisters-in-law.      Besides his parents and wife, Ralph was preceded in death by a daughter, Colleen Hambrick, on July 11, 2006; and two brothers, Bernard and Cliff.      Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating.      Rite of Committal will take place at the funeral home, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.       Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home, and again from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.      To view Ralph's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.