Obituary for Ralph Louis Overberg
Ralph Overberg beloved husband of the late Elizabeth "Elsie" Overberg (nee Overman). Loving father of John (Lynne) Overberg, Kathleen (Michael) Grant, Richard (Kimberly) Overberg, Thomas (Janet) Overberg and Steven (Linda) Overberg. Devoted grandpa of Greg (Allie), Chris, Kellie, Mason, Erik, Madelyn and Kyle and great-grandpa of Mayzie. Dear brother of Donald Overberg and Kenneth Overberg SJ. Brother-in-law of Sr. Mary Joell Overman SND. Also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews. Passed away March 16, 2023. Age 90. Visitation Friday, March 24, 2023 from 5-8 P.M. at the Neidhard-Minges Funeral Home, 3155 Harrison Ave., Westwood. Funeral Mass 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 25, 2023 at St. Jude Church, 5924 Bridgetown Rd. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Elder High School's General Scholarship Fund, 3900 Vincent Ave. Cinti., OH 45205 or the Alzheimer's Assc., 644 Linn St., Suite 1026, Cinti., OH 45203.
Ralph was born on March 12, 1933 to Clarence and Catherine Overberg (nee Juengling) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ralph graduated from Elder High School in 1950 where he was a proud participant in creating our Holy Mother’s grotto. He studied architecture and design at the University of Cincinnati for 2 years and worked at General Electric. He was called to serve in the US Army during the Korean War for 2 years. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to GE Aircraft Engines which led to a very successful 42-year career with many awards as an Engineering Designer.
Ralph was a strong believer in faith, community, and education. He was a member of the Catholic Kolping Society, where he enjoyed playing baseball and attended a wide variety of activities. It was in these activities where he met his wife Elsie. In 1955 they married and soon moved into their home that Ralph designed with inspiration from drawings in a magazine. Ralph and Elsie had a firm belief in their Catholic faith; they became founding members of St Jude Parish and supported the development of the parish elementary school which all their children attended. They enabled the secondary education of their children through Mother of Mercy and Elder high schools and various colleges. Ralph was an active participant in church and school organizations where he served both as an involved parent and leader including St Jude booster president, St Jude festival booth chairman, St Jude boys’ baseball coach, and Elder Band Booster president. He was also a proud parish usher until his final years.
Ralph loved to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events and he made every effort to attend school events, birthdays, and graduations.
Ralph’s love for travel was influenced early on by his mother Catherine, and he continued to travel throughout his life. He was fortunate to visit several countries and a majority of the US states, where he planned and remembered every turn and detail. His most cherished international trip was to visit his sister-in-law, Sr Mary Joell, in Rome where he and Elsie, Elsie’s sister Mary and her husband Joe, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth were blessed to share an audience and Mass with Pope John Paul II. From there they traveled through Switzerland by rail to Germany to visit Elsie’s family where they were greeted warmly by all. He loved to travel in the US with family where he traveled coast to coast. He loved the adventure and rewards of travel including visiting with far flung family members, former co-workers, and any new destination. He kept lists of where folks lived so he could stop by and visit if he was in the area. It seemed that everywhere he went he knew someone and was warmly greeted. He and Elsie shared broad interests with their children, their children’s spouses, and grandchildren and enjoyed travel adventures and family time together.
Ralph loved to work outside and spent hours puttering around his yard on his tractor. He was frequently found sitting in his front yard monitoring the events at St Jude, and visiting with anyone who would share some time with him. He was blessed with many great neighbors and a church community who watched over him until his final days.
He was a gift to us all and a stranger to no one. Thanks, Dad, for all that you’ve done and for all that you have provided to us. We will miss you dearly and are thankful for every day that we had together. God Bless you and may you enjoy every new waltz, polka, and chicken dance in heaven with Mom.
Ralph was born on March 12, 1933 to Clarence and Catherine Overberg (nee Juengling) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ralph graduated from Elder High School in 1950 where he was a proud participant in creating our Holy Mother’s grotto. He studied architecture and design at the University of Cincinnati for 2 years and worked at General Electric. He was called to serve in the US Army during the Korean War for 2 years. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to GE Aircraft Engines which led to a very successful 42-year career with many awards as an Engineering Designer.
Ralph was a strong believer in faith, community, and education. He was a member of the Catholic Kolping Society, where he enjoyed playing baseball and attended a wide variety of activities. It was in these activities where he met his wife Elsie. In 1955 they married and soon moved into their home that Ralph designed with inspiration from drawings in a magazine. Ralph and Elsie had a firm belief in their Catholic faith; they became founding members of St Jude Parish and supported the development of the parish elementary school which all their children attended. They enabled the secondary education of their children through Mother of Mercy and Elder high schools and various colleges. Ralph was an active participant in church and school organizations where he served both as an involved parent and leader including St Jude booster president, St Jude festival booth chairman, St Jude boys’ baseball coach, and Elder Band Booster president. He was also a proud parish usher until his final years.
Ralph loved to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events and he made every effort to attend school events, birthdays, and graduations.
Ralph’s love for travel was influenced early on by his mother Catherine, and he continued to travel throughout his life. He was fortunate to visit several countries and a majority of the US states, where he planned and remembered every turn and detail. His most cherished international trip was to visit his sister-in-law, Sr Mary Joell, in Rome where he and Elsie, Elsie’s sister Mary and her husband Joe, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth were blessed to share an audience and Mass with Pope John Paul II. From there they traveled through Switzerland by rail to Germany to visit Elsie’s family where they were greeted warmly by all. He loved to travel in the US with family where he traveled coast to coast. He loved the adventure and rewards of travel including visiting with far flung family members, former co-workers, and any new destination. He kept lists of where folks lived so he could stop by and visit if he was in the area. It seemed that everywhere he went he knew someone and was warmly greeted. He and Elsie shared broad interests with their children, their children’s spouses, and grandchildren and enjoyed travel adventures and family time together.
Ralph loved to work outside and spent hours puttering around his yard on his tractor. He was frequently found sitting in his front yard monitoring the events at St Jude, and visiting with anyone who would share some time with him. He was blessed with many great neighbors and a church community who watched over him until his final days.
He was a gift to us all and a stranger to no one. Thanks, Dad, for all that you’ve done and for all that you have provided to us. We will miss you dearly and are thankful for every day that we had together. God Bless you and may you enjoy every new waltz, polka, and chicken dance in heaven with Mom.