Ralph J. Festi

Ralph J. Festi, age 89, of Dover, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Union Hospital.

Born April 11, 1929 in Dover, he was a son of the late Illuminato John and Margarita Zamboti Festi. Ralph graduated from St. Joseph High School, Dover, in 1947 and was employed by the Reeves Steel Company. He served honorably with the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he worked for Marlite, from which he retired in 1989 after 35 years of service. Always a hard-worker and wanting to do the best in providing for his family, Ralph moonlighted at Swiss Valley Oil and Amistadi Farms during his time with Marlite.

He was a devoted family man and a member of St. Joseph Church, Dover. Ralph also belonged to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Army-Navy Garrison, and the Eagles and Moose lodges, all also of Dover.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marie E. Harig Festi, whom he married on May 27, 1967; his sons, Donnie L. (Karen Sue) Harig, David J. (Michelle) Festi and Michael A. Festi, all of Dover; his grandchildren, Michael Rafaele and Jenna Dawn Festi; his brother, John Festi; his sisters-in-law, Angie Festi and Esther (Okey) Beans; his brothers-in-law, Glen and Carl (Marsha) Harig; and his nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ralph J. Festi Jr.; his siblings, Lena Antonelli, Virgil, Frank and Lewis Festi; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Mary Harig.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Sunday, June 10, 2 - 5 p.m., with a Christian wake service being conducted at 4:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Joseph Church, Dover, with Fr. Jeff Coning officiating. Burial will be later, following cremation, in St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery. The family will host a luncheon directly after the Mass in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Ralph, please visit the obituaries link on the funeral home’s website.

The family suggests that, instead of flowers, contributions in Ralph’s memory be made to the Michael Rafaele Festi and Jenna Dawn Festi Benefit Account in care of SSB Community Bank, 224 North Bodmer Ave., Strasburg, Ohio 44680