Former longtime chief deputy coroner dies

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Services are set for a former longtime chief deputy coroner in southwestern Illinois.

Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn says 61-year-old Ralph Baahlmann Jr. died early Monday at an Alton hospital after he was found in distress at his Godfrey home.

There was no immediate determination on what caused Baahlmann's death, and Nonn says routine toxicology tests are pending.

Nonn says Baahlmann retired in 2007 after 31 years with the coroner's office.

A funeral Mass for Baahlmann will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey.