Ralph M. "Poncho" Labanowski

Manito- Ralph M. 'Poncho' Labanowski, 83 of rural Manito formerly of Peoria passed away at 10:05 am Friday, July 10, 2009, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria. He was born on June 4, 1926 in Omaha, Neb.; the son of James and Mary Mills Labanowski.He married Catherine A. Delinski on Feb. 15, 1947 in Omaha, Neb. She preceded him in death on March 10, 2007, in Peoria. Ralph was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bernard and Joseph. He is survived by; one son, Mike (Elaine) Labanowski of Peoria; three daughters, Rose Labanowski, Donna (Don) Reaska both of Peoria and Barbara (Joe) Crumrine of Washington, IL; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Labanowski of Maryland and Bob Labanowski of Los Angles, Calif.; and two sisters, Ruth (Don) Elasser and Maryann (Ron) Micek both of Omaha, Neb.. Poncho was a WWII Navy veteran; he was a former member and Past Commander of Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post # 814 of Peoria and Post #2603 in Peoria Heights.He was currently a member of the Roy L. King VFW Post #1232 in Pekin and the Hill- Palmer American Legion Post 561 in Manito. He was a member of the Navy Marine Club in Peoria Heights. Poncho was a Diesel Mechanic all of his life working for many transportation firms including Peoria District 150 and last working for Ryder Trucking Company in Peoria. After retiring in 1988 he and Catherine moved to the Spring Lake area of rural Manito; where he spent his time fishing and serving as an election judge. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Manito and a former member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights.