RALPH DEBONA

1938 - 2009

Ralph A. DeBona, beloved husband of Marlene DeBona of Taber, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at the age of 71 years.
He is survived by his daughters Linda (Bill) Williams of Lethbridge and Shelly (Mo) Just of Taber and their children Brandyn and Chelsea. Ralph is also survived by his sister Mary (Bill) Rachwalski of Stony Plain; twin sister Katie (Ken) Christensen of Lethbridge; brother John R. DeBona of Taber and sister-in-law Cheryl DeBona of Taber as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother Rudy and sister-in-law Margaret DeBona.
Ralph was born at Taber on June 13, 1938 to Ralph and Emma DeBona. He was raised on the family farm and received his schooling in Taber. Ralph married Marlene Spate on August 29, 1961. They were married for forty eight years. Ralph farmed most of his life until they sold the farm in 1988. He soon found out that he needed something to occupy his time and worked at several jobs including Perlich Auction Mart and Southern Agri Fertilizer for several years. He enjoyed the interaction with the farmers and loved his job. He also worked assembling farm machinery with his brother-in-law Jim at his small farm he bought just south of Taber. Relatives and friends are invited
to Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Patrick Furtado SAC, Celebrant.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ralph’s name may be made directly to the Taber & District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 or to St. Michael’s Health Centre (Palliative Care), 1400 - 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5.