Ralph W. Zwiebel

Ralph W. Zwiebel, age 95, of Jackson Center, Ohio passed away Tuesday morning, May 17, 2022, at Vancrest of St. Mary’s.  

Ralph was born at home in Shelby County December 1, 1926, to the late Gust W. and Hilda C. (Katterheinrich) Zwiebel.  He married Miriam L. Wildermuth June 19, 1948, and she preceded him in death August 28, 2008.  Ralph was also preceded in death by a son, John Zwiebel; as son-in-law, Steve Wolverton; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mildred and Robert Weidel, Vernon and Ludema Wildermuth, Elsie and Carl Keysor, and Marcille and Richard Sailor.

Ralph is survived by daughters: Cheryl (Steve) Fark of Jackson Center, Cynthia Wolverton of Cary, North Carolina, and Jean (Ken) Ruark of Frankfort, Kentucky; daughter-in-law Krystyna Stan-Zwiebel of Warsaw, Poland; 6 grandchildren: Jesse (Kelly) Fark, Thaddeus (Ron) Fark, Amanda (Tom) Snyder, Andrew (Catherine) Burleigh, David (Naomi) Burleigh, and Daniel Wolverton; 11 great-grandchildren: Lauren, Nolan and Anderson Fark, Sophia, Micah, and Hannah Burleigh, Ethan, Logan, Hudson, Griffin and Nora Burleigh; a brother-in-law Ermine (Marlene) Wildermuth of Wapakoneta; and many nieces and nephews.

A Veteran of the United States Navy, Ralph served stateside during World War II.   He was a lifelong farmer, worker, businessman, and a “Mr. Fixit” – he enjoyed a challenge and finding a resolution.  An avid reader, Ralph was a staunch supporter of education and served on the Jackson Center School Board for 20 years, with 16 of those years as President, and he served 8 years on the Jackson Center Education Foundation Board.  Ralph was also a member of the Jackson Center Township Planning Commission and the Shelby County Regional Planning Commission.  He was an active member of St. Jacobs Lutheran Church for most of his life.   Ralph was Sunday School Superintendent, Adult Sunday School teacher, and Chairman of the Congregation, each for many years.  

Friends may call Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Jackson Center from 6 to 8 p.m., and Friday, May 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Jacob Lutheran Church. 

Pastor David Sanders will officiate Ralph’s funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, at the church.  

Burial will be at a later date in St. Jacob Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

  St. Jacobs Lutheran Church

  18280 Pasco Montra Rd.

  Jackson Center, OH  45334

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Jackson Center is honored to serve the Zwiebel family.

K.H.