Ralph J. Barber, age 70, of Wauseon, peacefully passed away early Saturday morning, March 26, 2016 at Fulton Manor in Wauseon. He was born at Chesterfield Twp. on September 8, 1945 to the late Charles Barber and Mary (Mach) Barber. Ralph was a 1963 graduate of Swanton High School.
For the last years of his working career he served as a stock clerk at Newman’s Carry Out in Defiance. Ralph also worked for Allied Security in Archbold and 17 years with Little Dude Trailer Co. as a purchasing agent. He was a member of First Church of God in Wauseon. One of his favorite hobbies was helping with pony rides at several county fairs in Ohio, which he did for many years.
Ralph was an avid and proud supporter of the Wauseon wrestling team, attending practices and every competition he could over his lifetime. While home or away and in the stands or mat side, Ralph could be seen cheering on his Wauseon grapplers; he will be forever missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard “Dick” Barber on May 20, 2015. Ralph is survived by his sister-in-law, Ruth Barber of Sherwood, OH; niece, Cheryl (Brett) Spires of Wauseon; nephew, David (Jill) Barber of Vandalia, OH; great niece, Josie Spires; great nephews, Jonathan and Nicholas Barber and special friend, Carolyn Powell of Morenci, MI.
Friends will be received from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St. Hwy. 109 in Delta. A funeral service for Ralph will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 31, 2016, also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Amboy Cemetery near Metamora.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Wauseon Wrestling Team, c/o Tomahawk Wrestling Club, 17370 Co Rd F, Wauseon, Ohio 43567 in Ralph’s memory. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com
