Robert was born to Myron and Hattie Babbs in Minnesota. The family moved to Illinois when he was young, living in Fair Grange, Ashmore and Westfield, where he spent his boyhood years until joining the Civilian Conservation Corps, which took him to Mt. Horeb, WI. There, he met Kathryn Wirth.
They married 11/04/1939, in the Little Brown Church, in Nashua, IA. "Bob" worked for Oscar Mayer & Co., Warner Elec., Messner Inc., and retired from ERA Refrigeration. He liked to hunt and fish and enjoyed volunteering at the Town of Madison Hall during elections. He was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church, where he was always on call for any emergencies, and Steamfitters Local 601.
He is survived by his daughter, Darlene (Bill) Retallick, grandchildren, Kim (Dale) Voss, Charles (Amy) Retallick, Robert (Jean) Retallick, Tracy (Rochelle Buss) Retallick; great grandchildren, Shannon and Miranda Voss, Sean and Ryan Retallick, Nichole, Kaitlyn and Charles Retallick II, Miranda Machgan, Dayne Retallick, Eric, Tyler and Casey Buss; a sister, Marion Reed; two brothers, Ralph (Arlene) Babbs, and John Babbs; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn, in October 1998, and a great-grandson, Joshua "JJ" Voss, in December 1997.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 10:30 AM at Gunderson East Funeral Home, Monona Drive, with Rev. Mary Pharmer presiding.
Effingham, IL - 1 Dec 2010
Marion E Reed, 92, of Effingham, formerly of Mattoon, passed away 30 Nov 2010 at Gowin Parc. Funeral services will be 2 Dec burial will follow in the Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston.
Marion was born 9 Oct 1918 in Crookston, MN the daughter of Myron & Harriet (VanDeWeerd) Babbs. She married W. Thomas 'Tom' Reed on 8 Apr 1938. He passed away on 18 Apr 1993. She was also preceded in death by her son, Thomas Michael; brothers, Charles & Robert Babbs; son-in-law, Ken Sparks.
Survivors include her daughters, Jodi Sparks of Mattoon, Sharon (Russell) Marvel of Effingham; 2 brothers, John Babbs of McClean & Ralph(Arlene)Babbs of Westfield; 6 grandchildren, Kelly (Doug) McDevitt of Effingham, James Plotts of Dallas, TX, Kelly (James) Goetz of Plattsmouth, NE, Todd (Marsha) Marvel of Springfield & Jeanne & Kim Marvel of Alpharetta, GA; 11 great grandchildren, Meagan McDevitt, Alec Sparks, Jarrett Marvel, Kara Marvel, Jamie Goetz, Jake Goetz, Katie Goetz, Jason Goetz, Jackson Marvel, Jane Marvel & Noelle Morse.
provided by Joyce (FAG #47989772)
WESTFIELD -- Ralph Eugene Babbs, 93, of Westfield, IL passed away at 5:15 pm on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Casey Health Care Center, Casey, IL. He was born August 11, 1922 in Crookston, MN, the son of Myron David Babbs and Harriet Alice Vandewier Babbs.
On January 21, 1944, he married Myrna Arlene Brown in Martinsville, IL.
Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Arlene Babbs of Westfield, IL; daughters, Sue (Don) Cunningham of Martinsville, IL; Jacque (Bob) Wiebe of Shady Shores, TX; Candi (Mike) Brown Centerville, GA; son, Kent (Tami) Babbs of Westfield, IL; brother, John Babbs of Newport News, VA; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert Babbs, Charles Babbs, sister, Marion Reed and granddaughter, Kim Cunningham.
Ralph attended school in Ashmore, IL where he enjoyed playing basketball. He was a 1941 graduate of Charleston High School. He worked his entire life in the oilfields in the Westfield, IL area. Ralph was over a sixty year member of the Westfield United Methodist Church. He was a devoted family man. He spent all his time enjoying his family and attending all the activities his children and grandchildren were involved in.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Westfield United Methodist Church with Rev. Ray Finney and Rev. Walter Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Westfield, IL. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am prior to the service at the Westfield United Methodist Church, 225 S. Madison St., Westfield, IL. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 207 S. Prospect Rd., Bloomington, IL 61704.
