Ralph W. Smithberger

November 8, 1917 – September 26, 2002

In loving memory of Ralph W. Smithberger, age 84, of Columbus, Oh., who passed away peacefully September 26, 2002. Born November 8, 1917 in Bethel Township, Monroe County, Oh. A graduate of Bethel Township High School, Monroe County, Oh. in 1935 and attended Marietta Ohio Business College.

Enlisted July 2, 1941 in U.S. Army Air Corps at Patterson Field in Dayton, Oh. and served for 5 years, including 1 year overseas during WW II in aerial combat as a 2nd Lieutenant and B-17 navigator in US 8th Air Force, 95th Bomb Group, 334th Squadron, Horsham, England. Shot down by German FW-190s on fifth bombing run to Leipzig, Germany and crash landed on May 29, 1944 near Wittenberg, Germany. Imprisoned for 8 months in Stalag Luft III at Sagan, location of the Hollywood movie, The Great Escape, and in Stalag 7A at Moosburg. Liberated by troops of the 3rd Army 14th Armored Division under the command of General George S. Patton on April 29, 1945. Awarded the Purple Heart and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medals. Served in Air Force Reserves November, 1945 to May, 1949 and Ohio National Guard, May 1949 to May 1951 during the Korean War. Featured in an article, World War II Vet Tastes Freedom Anew, in the Columbus Dispatch on April 29, 1995.

Employed 40 years with Franklin County Engineering Department, US Veterans Administration and Farm Bureau Cooperative Association. Member of Our Lady of Victory Parish and recipient of Columbus Diocese Catholic Bishop's Award. Co-author of A History of the Smithberger Family in America, 1840-1982 and President of the annual Smithberger reunion for 18 years.

Preceded in death by parents Clemens Paul Smithberger and Elizabeth Theresa Arnold Smithberger, brother Harold, sister-in-law Melba Blowers Smithberger and son-in-law Donald Barringer. Survived by former wife, Lucille Handley Smithberger, Columbus, Oh.; 3 daughters, Karen (Daniel) Royer, Columbus, Oh., Mary Smithberger, Sacramento, Calif. and Rita (Thomas) Heiby, Upper Arlington, Oh.; 2 sons, Joseph (Linda) Smithberger, Pickerington, Oh. and Thomas (Janis) Smithberger, Falls Church, Va.; brother, Paul, Marion, Oh. Also survived by 10 grandchildren; 9 great- grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, devotion to his faith, and service to his country. Family will receive friends on Sunday during visiting hours from 2-5 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. at EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 E. Broad St. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church on Monday at 10 a.m. followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, 9571 North High St. Family and friends will gather at Our Lady of Victory Church following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Our Lady of Victory Church, 1559 Roxbury Rd. or St. Raphael's Home for the Aged, 1550 Roxbury Rd., Columbus, Oh. 43212.

Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Saturday, September 28, 2002