John DeBarbrie Obituary

John Paul DeBarbrie

John Paul DeBarbrie, 89, of Tiffin, died at 3 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Tiffin Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Sept. 12, 1934, in Tiffin, to Vincent and Janice (Griffin) DeBarbrie. He married Eileen M. Wise on Jan. 25, 1956, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Eileen died May 15, 2017.

John's survivors include three sons, Steven (Sue) DeBarbrie, Chris (Li Deng) DeBarbrie, and Mark (Barb) DeBarbrie; seven grandchildren, Lauren DeBarbrie, Michael (Larissa) DeBarbrie, Joy (Joe) Lanham, Jon (Shen) DeBarbrie, Ryan DeBarbrie, Corey (Kiley) DeBarbrie, and Collin (Surya Veerabagu) DeBarbrie; great-granddaughter, Haden DeBarbrie; and sister, Anne Bilger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; stepfather, George Ringle; brother, Bill Ringle; and two sisters, Jane Kidder and Marilyn Troup.

As a child, he studied violin, was a pin setter at Bowl A Drome, and enjoyed frequenting the two movie theaters in downtown Tiffin to watch a few westerns. He was a 1952 graduate of Calvert High School where he was a member of the Glee Club and met his high school sweetheart, Eileen Wise. He served in U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division where he earned his jump wings and he later served in the Army Reserves. In the 1950s, he attended Tiffin University and operated DeBarbrie's Variety Store located at the corner of Miami and S. Sandusky. Along with his wife, they performed in the "Unique's," a popular dance band, where he was the lead singer and square dance caller for 17 years. He retired as a journeyman machinist from Roppe Rubber Corp.

In retirement, he enjoyed genealogy. His grandparents arrived in New York City from Genoa, Italy, and later settled in Painesville, Ohio, as confectioners. John's father, Vincent, and uncle, James, extended the business to Tiffin as DeBarbrie's Confectionaries and also operated The Gibson Hotel and restaurant located in downtown Tiffin. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Tiffin Lions Club. He will be remembered for his strong faith, love of family, and for continuing the traditional homemade Ravioli for Christmas dinner.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at TRAUNERO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio, 44883, (419) 447-3113.

Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Matthew Radar and Rev. Gary Walters concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites conducted by United Veterans Council of Seneca County. The Rosary will be recited in church 30 minutes prior to Mass.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Calvert Catholic Schools.

For directions, to order out-of-town flowers, to view the celebration of life video, or to send condolences, go to www.traunerofuneralhome.com.