Ralph McKibben, 85
Ralph McKibben, 85, of Fort Wayne, died at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, August 24, 2010 peacefully at his home with family beside him. 
He was born December 13, 1924 in McConnelsville, Ohio a son of Addison Edward and Alma (Fitch) McKibben.
Ralph served in England and Germany with the United States Army from 1943 until 1946. After his discharge, he came to Fort Wayne where he worked for the bus service and drove some of the original trolleys in Fort Wayne.
On October 22, 1949 he was united in marriage to Bonnie Kile. They always made their home in Fort Wayne. Mrs. McKibben died December 16, 2009. Click here to view her obituary.
He later worked in the insurance business and worked at various agencies throughout the years, retiring from Epco Insurance. His kindness and compassion for people made the insurance business a perfect profession for him. His clients knew they could call him day or night in an emergency and he was able to comfort them.
A charter member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, his hobbies included golf, Cubs baseball and telling a good joke.
Surviving relatives include three children, Marsha (Jim) Wulpi, Lisa Schwaberow and Mark (Karen) McKibben; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer) Wulpi, Ben, Alex & Logan Wulpi, Dan, Olivia & Levi Schwaberow and Dustin & Chance McKibben; a sister, Goldie (David) Ross; and a sister-in-law, Pat Little, all of Fort Wayne.
In addition to his wife of 60 years, he was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Linda McKibben, on March 21, 2008.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Avenue, Fort Wayne with one hour of visitation prior to the service. The entombment will be in Concordia Cemetery. The visitation will also be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church or Parkview Home Health & Hospice.
Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
He was born December 13, 1924 in McConnelsville, Ohio a son of Addison Edward and Alma (Fitch) McKibben.
Ralph served in England and Germany with the United States Army from 1943 until 1946. After his discharge, he came to Fort Wayne where he worked for the bus service and drove some of the original trolleys in Fort Wayne.
On October 22, 1949 he was united in marriage to Bonnie Kile. They always made their home in Fort Wayne. Mrs. McKibben died December 16, 2009. Click here to view her obituary.
He later worked in the insurance business and worked at various agencies throughout the years, retiring from Epco Insurance. His kindness and compassion for people made the insurance business a perfect profession for him. His clients knew they could call him day or night in an emergency and he was able to comfort them.
A charter member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, his hobbies included golf, Cubs baseball and telling a good joke.
Surviving relatives include three children, Marsha (Jim) Wulpi, Lisa Schwaberow and Mark (Karen) McKibben; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer) Wulpi, Ben, Alex & Logan Wulpi, Dan, Olivia & Levi Schwaberow and Dustin & Chance McKibben; a sister, Goldie (David) Ross; and a sister-in-law, Pat Little, all of Fort Wayne.
In addition to his wife of 60 years, he was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Linda McKibben, on March 21, 2008.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Avenue, Fort Wayne with one hour of visitation prior to the service. The entombment will be in Concordia Cemetery. The visitation will also be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church or Parkview Home Health & Hospice.
Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.