Posted on 12/28/2006 8:04:31 AM PST by commish
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published on: 12/28/06
The man who won a $208 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot with his wife in April 2005 has died, police and a family spokesman said.
Ralph Stebbins died Saturday at his home in Arcadia Township, Michigan, near Lapeer, Sheriff's Sgt. Andy Engster told the Times Herald of Port Huron. Family spokesman Robert Kolt said he suffered a heart attack. He was 43.
Ralph and his wife, Mary, elected to take a lump-sum payment of $124.7 million, less taxes. They could have chosen to spread $208 million in payments over 26 years.
The couple used part of their winnings to buy a recreational vehicle and said they planned to buy a cow, pay off bills and build a garage to house a 1963 Corvette.
Kolt said he was not aware that Mr. Stebbins had a history of heart problems or that he was feeling ill.
"He seemed healthy and he was a very active guy," Kolt told the Detroit Free Press for a Wednesday story. "I think everybody was surprised."
Mr. Stebbins had previously worked for a well-digging company in Port Huron, where the couple formerly lived, while Mary Stebbins was a $7-per-hour retail sales clerk at a general merchandise store.
Both quit their jobs after winning the jackpot and planned to help several other family members retire.
The Stebbinses purchased their winning ticket at a supermarket in Port Huron and had been buying five easy pick Mega Millions tickets a week on a regular basis.
The couple had been married for 23 years and had three children.
My condoloences to his family
So, I wonder how much the Government will try to take from his "estate"
Do you think its too soon to ask the widow out?
Uncle Ralph died????? {{sniffle}}
Smart move.
How sad for his wife and family ... and a reminder that any one of us could be gone tomorrow.
John Kerry already beat you to it.
or at least can i drive the vet
I think he was my mother-in-law's second cousin on her father's side...
What are the odds?
Dunno about you, but if I were the DA and the ME in his district, I'd be looking for a little antifreeze or rat poison in his system. That much money can make loving people do some pretty damn evil things.
!
his number was up
Lol!
Meet John Kerry's next wife. (nonliberal beat me to it upthread)
They'll take the remaining half of the half they already took of the original $!24 million.
John Kerrey asked first.
I don't know about foul play but I bet a blood test for chemical stimulants would be interesting.
Not that I am implying anything...
She's a redhead. And rich? Dibs!
"Do you think its too soon to ask the widow out?"
Probably... but it wouldn't hurt to ask what she wants to do with the rv. I'd ask at the funeral, or else it may be too late.
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