Ralph Michael Barbee

Ralph Michael Barbee, 65, of Newcomerstown, died Wednesday evening at Country Club Retirement Center in Dover where he had been a patient since Saturday.A son of the late Harold and Viva H. Lightfoot Barbee, Ralph was born June 12, 1939, at the family home in New Philadelphia.He was a 1958 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, a U.S. Army veteran, was retired from ARMCO steel, and had worked part time for the Schoenbrunn Garden Center.Ralph was a member of the First United Methodist Church of New Philadelphia and belonged to the church’s Disciple study group. He had been active with the former Full Gospel Businessmen Association, and enjoyed collecting Lionel trains.He is survived by his wife, Edna M. Thomas Barbee, whom he married November 3, 1962; a son, David M. Barbee, of Newcomerstown; a daughter Diana M. Harper, of North Lewisburg, O; a sister, Phyllis A. (John) Liberatore, of New Philadelphia; brothers, Clyde W. (Sandy) Barbee, of Garrettsville, O., William E. (Veronica) Barbee, of Uhrichsville, John C. Barbee, of New Philadelphia and his twin, Robert M. (Judith) Barbee, of Uhrichsville; sister-in-law, Gladys Barbee, of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, Brandon Scott Harper, of Hilliard, O., and Vanessa Marie Harper, of North Lewisburg, O., several nieces, nephews and cousins.Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold; and sister-in-laws, Marjorie and Ruth. Visitation will be (today) Friday, May 27, 2005 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia and from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 2005. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 28, 2005, at 2 p.m., in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Dr. Steven Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Memory Garden in Dover. A reception in the fellowship hall at the First United Methodist Church will follow the committal.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society Area office #12, 210 A West Ohio Ave. Dover, O., 44622