Ralph H Habbe

Ralph Henry Habbe Jr., 97, passed away at 4:39 a.m. Sunday January 26, 2025 at Washington County Hospital in Nashville, Illinois.

Ralph was born June 28, 1927 in Pilot Knob Township. He was the son of Ralph and Alvina (Roethemeyer) Habbe. On May 27, 1950, Ralph married Norma Jean (McKinney); she preceded him in death on June 16, 2010.

Left to mourn his passing are his three sons, R. Henry (Patricia) Habbe III of Nashville, Robert Dean (Nancy) Habbe of Las Vegas and Randall Gene (Sara) of Nashville; nine grandchildren, R.H. (Sherry) Habbe IV, Ryan (Nicole) Habbe, Elizabeth (Aaron) Pender, all of Nashville, Heather Habbe of Danbury, Nebraska, Jessica Habbe of Seattle, Washington.  Nicole (Nathan) Maxey of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Alix Habbe of Carbondale, IL.  Jonathan Habbe of England and Megan (Nick) Rosa of Nashville.  13 Great Grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremiah) Waltz of Webster,Texas, Jayd’n Landreth of Seattle, Washington, Rylee and Douglas Habbe of Nashville, Luke and Mia Habbe of Nashville, Ava and Gianna Habbe of Park Ridge, IL, Charlotte and Emma Pender of Nashville, Penelope, Gabriella and Evelyn Rosa of Nashville.

His two sisters Darla Weltmer, of Decatur, IL and Maxine (Harry) Paull of Springfield, IL; Nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Twin sisters Beatrice and Bernice, his wife Norma, sister Wanda and two Granddaughters, Olivia Habbe and Marcie Jean Habbe.

Ralph Habbe Jr. was inducted into the Army in 1945, and when he came home in 1947, the bulldozing for hire started to grow.  A second bulldozer was purchased, along with a pull scraper, working alongside his father, Ralph Sr.  In 1964 Ralph purchased his first Hi Lift tractor and started his own company of Ralph Habbe Excavating, later on adding a track-hoe excavator which he loved operating the most.  He was in the excavating business for 70 years and loved taking out trees.  It was his all time favorite on every job - there wasn't a tree he couldn't take out.

Ralph was a life long and faithful member of St. Paul UCC in Nashville, where he taught Sunday School for many years and treated his Sunday School classes to a party at Habbe Lake each summer.

He loved being a part of the Washington County Lodge #55 where he was a Mason for 76 years. He was also part of the Eastern Star, member of Scottish Rite and Aniad Shriners.

He was a member and a past president of LICA (Illinois Land Improvement Contractors) for many years, where he and Norma would travel to yearly conventions all over the United States.

Ralph was a member of the American Legion Post #110.  He was also on the IL Regional Office of Education Board for many years.

His favorite pastimes were working in the dirt any chance he could, tinkering in the back basement, fishing, swinging on the porch swing and watching the great grandkids play till the sun went down. On rainy days you would find him watching westerns or his home movies put on DVDS.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Nashville with Rev. Beverly Kahle officiating.  Burial will follow in the Masonic Cemetery in Nashville with military rites accorded by the Nashville American Legion Post #110.  Friends may call from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to services both at the church.  There will be a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul UCC or the Masonic Cemetery. Styninger Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.styningerfuneralhomes.com or on the funeral homes Facebook page. 

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