Joseph R. Cebula

Joseph Ralph Cebula, 94, Buchanan, North Dakota died Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Jamestown Hospital.

Ralph was born October 21, 1916 in Buchanan Township, North Dakota, the son of Boleslaw and Leokadia (Kulink) Cebula. Ralph served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in California in Sequoia National Forest in 1936, and worked on farms until he was drafted in the United States Army on April 1, 1942. He served during World War II under General Patton in the European African Theater in the 90th Infantry. He landed on Omaha Beach two days after the invasion of France and spent the duration of World War II under General Patton. He was in the Battle of the Bulge in Normandy in northern France. He received the Bronze Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He married Elaine Christ on October 25, 1947. They resided in Buchanan, North Dakota where they owned the Buchanan Grocery and Buchanan Bar. Ralph sold the grocery store in 1957 and retired from the bar business in 1991.

Ralph was a lifetime member of the Elks 995 and the VFW Post 760. He enjoyed playing cards, horses and gardening.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Elaine, Jamestown; three daughters, Sherry (Ole) Syverson, Buchanan, ND, Chris (Terri) Cebula, Jamestown and Carrie (Skip) Miller, Jamestown; one son, Scott Cebula, Jamestown; two grandsons, Jason (Katie) Miller, Khartoum, Africa and John Miller, Fargo, ND; four sisters, Susan Sorenson, Jamestown, Leona Thomas, Washburn, ND, Marion Wilma, Bakersfield, CA and Marge (Charlie) Kourajian, Jamestown; and one brother, Bob (Marguerite) Cebula, Jamestown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Jack Miller; three sisters, Celia Cebula, Rose Campbell and Helen Cebula; and three brothers, John, Alex and Sam.