In Memory Of
Ralph Gersper
Ralph Gersper
GERSPER
Ralph Gersper, age 85, died peacefully at the Columbus Alzheimer's Center on August 6th surrounded by family. Born February 23, 1923 in Columbus, he enlisted in the U.S. army infantry at the young age of 15. He landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and fought courageously throughout Europe for several years until the end of WWII. He was among the soldiers who liberated several concentration camps in Germany. He was awarded numerous medals for bravery, including 2 Purple Heart medals and the Bronze Star. After the war ended, he continued serving his community in many ways. He helped to build the first Chapel at St. Matthias Church in Columbus. He volunteered his time with numerous charity organizations, including the St. Vincent DePaul, He worked for over 20 years at the Defense Dapartment at the Defense Construction and Supply Center as a Management Analyst. After retiring, he continued his volunteer work by serving meals on holidays in soups kitchens, writing and editing stories for The Catholic Times, delivering food, furniture and clothing to the needy in the community, meeting with prison inmates to pray with them and provide them with rosaries that he made by hand. He was also a foster grandparent for several little children. He continued volunteering his time until age 81 when he suffered several debilitating strokes. He was a finalist for the Jefferson Award and was nominated for the Catholic Man of the Year Award numerous times. He was an inventor, social activist, fisherman, protector of children champion of the needy, and devout Catholic. He is survived by his children John Paul (Kathy), Yolanda (Dick) Girton, and Dan (Diane), 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2008, 5-8PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, NE Chapel, 3047 East Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:00AM at St. Matthias Church, 1582 Ferris Road, Columbus, OH. Interment will follow at Ressurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center, OH.
Ralph Gersper, age 85, died peacefully at the Columbus Alzheimer's Center on August 6th surrounded by family. Born February 23, 1923 in Columbus, he enlisted in the U.S. army infantry at the young age of 15. He landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and fought courageously throughout Europe for several years until the end of WWII. He was among the soldiers who liberated several concentration camps in Germany. He was awarded numerous medals for bravery, including 2 Purple Heart medals and the Bronze Star. After the war ended, he continued serving his community in many ways. He helped to build the first Chapel at St. Matthias Church in Columbus. He volunteered his time with numerous charity organizations, including the St. Vincent DePaul, He worked for over 20 years at the Defense Dapartment at the Defense Construction and Supply Center as a Management Analyst. After retiring, he continued his volunteer work by serving meals on holidays in soups kitchens, writing and editing stories for The Catholic Times, delivering food, furniture and clothing to the needy in the community, meeting with prison inmates to pray with them and provide them with rosaries that he made by hand. He was also a foster grandparent for several little children. He continued volunteering his time until age 81 when he suffered several debilitating strokes. He was a finalist for the Jefferson Award and was nominated for the Catholic Man of the Year Award numerous times. He was an inventor, social activist, fisherman, protector of children champion of the needy, and devout Catholic. He is survived by his children John Paul (Kathy), Yolanda (Dick) Girton, and Dan (Diane), 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2008, 5-8PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, NE Chapel, 3047 East Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:00AM at St. Matthias Church, 1582 Ferris Road, Columbus, OH. Interment will follow at Ressurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center, OH.
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Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, August 10, 2008
5:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Newcomer - Northeast Chapel
Service
Monday, August 11, 2008
Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Matthias Church
Guestbook
Visits: 9
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