Ralph E. Labus, Sr

Ralph E. Labus, Sr., 86, of New Philadelphia, went home to his heavenly reward, April 5, 2007 from his residence while surrounded by his family.Born in Minerva, Ohio, on December 8, 1920, Ralph was the son of the late Fred and Myrtle Baxter Labus.He was a WWII Army veteran having served in both New Guinea and the Philippines. While serving in the Philippines he helped in the construction of a church, and through out his life brought the good news of the gospel to many people through his Christian lifestyle.Ralph was retired from the Spindler Trucking Company, of North Canton. Following his retirement he spent seven years as a volunteer for York Township.He was a member of The Church of the Living God, of New Philadelphia, Teamsters Local 92, of Dover and was a life member of the Dover Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3463.Ralph is survived by his wife Erma I. Burson Labus, whom he married December 5, 1980; sons, Ralph L. and (Jackie “Tootsie”) Labus, and Fred (Marcia) Labus, both of New Philadelphia; step-children, John (Mary) Wright, of Florida and Patty McVay, of California; grandchildren, Dave Labus and Tim (Louise) Labus, both of Columbus, Oh., Denise Labus, of New York City and Brooke (Matt) Couch, of California and great grandchildren, Lillian and Amelia Labus, of Columbus, Oh.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Cecil and Fred Labus, Jr., and a sister, Grace Chapman.Visitation will be held Saturday April 7, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00a.m. in the chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia where funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dave Sexton officiating. Burial will be in Ridgecrest Memory Garden in Dover where the Dover VFW Post 3463 will provide military honors. Following the committal a reception will be held at the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.Those wishing to honor Ralph with a memorial contribution may do so to: Hospice of Tuscarawas Co., 201 W. Third St. Dover, OH 44622