Ralph J. Guenther

Born on April 20, 1927 in North Canton to the late Otto and Eva (Stumpf) Guenther. Ralph was a 1945 graduate of NoCa High School, North Canton, and a veteran of the U.S. Army/Air Corps. After working 15 years for The Hoover Company, Ralph began a career in Real Estate in 1959 that included an ascent from Real Estate salesman and manager to becoming president of Metropolitan Land Co., Erie Valley Realty, United Realty, Sheraton Development Co., and Metropolitan Contracting Company, Inc. from 1962-1978. He also served as Director of Stark County Home Builders from 1970-1974 and as their president in 1972, the year he was awarded Registered Apartment Manager (RAM) by National Home Builders Association. He served as National Director of Home Builders Association from 1973-1980 and president of Stark County Apartment Council in 1974. He was the Area Vice President of Ohio Home Builders Association in 1976 and served as their vice-president-secretary in 1977, vice president-treasurer in 1978, vice president in 1979 and president in 1980 at which time he became a Life Director of both Ohio Home Builders and National Association of Home Builders. He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, North Canton; Canada’s Six Mile Club; Congress Lake Country Club for 40 years; a charter member of North Canton Elks #2029 for 45 years; and a charter life member of North Canton Eagles #2223 for 65 years. Since 1973, he held dual residence in Naples, Florida where he was on the Board of Bear’s Paw Country Club from 1990-1992.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Otto and Anna Guenther; grandson, Eron M. Gruber; nephews, Richard and Daniel Guenther; and niece, Joanne Guenther. He is survived by his wife, Margaret A. (Zewalk) Guenther; daughters: Linda K. Bennett (Perry), Diane M. Willaman (Joe), Gail A. Yoder (Joe), and Karen A. Gruber (Gary); five grandchildren, Perry D. Bennett II (Sigrid), Cara C. Williams (Tod), Jenna D. Brown (Kevin), Eric R. Gruber (Brenda) and Jamee A. Moss (Sterling); and six great grandchildren, Travis and Camryn Williams, Nicholas, Jacob and Olivia Moss, and Jeremiah Brown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at St Paul’s Catholic Church, 241 South Main St., North Canton, with Rev. Msgr. James A. Clarke officiating. Friends may call 3-7 pm on Sunday (TODAY) in the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home or 10-11 am on Monday at the church prior to Mass.

The family thanks Aultman Hospice for their caring heart. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to “The House that Ralph Built Fund, c/o Habitat for Humanity”, 2800 Leemont Ave. NW, Canton, Ohio 44709. The purpose of the “Ralph’s House” project is to carry on his life’s work to provide a family a home in our community.