Ishmael "Ish" E. Argabright

Ishmael "Ish" E. Argabright, 90, Gallipolis, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis. Ish was born June 19, 1921, in Jackson County, Ohio, son of the late George and Gertie Boring Argabright. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Rodney; a member of IUOE Local #18; a former member of Vinton American Legion #161, and a former member of Meigs DAV, as well as a U.S. Army Veteran serving during World War II.

In the closing years of World War II, Ish served as a first gunner under Lieutenant General Troy H. Middleton in the famous "Thunderbird", the 45th Infantry Division of the U.S. Seventh Army. Ish was initially drafted on January 8, 1944. After boot camp at Camp Wolters, Texas, he was transported to Naples, Italy, where he landed on July 17, 1944, and was taken to a huge troop replacement depot at Caserta. Soon Ish was sent to Epinal, in northeastern France, which fell to the Thunderbird on September 24. A week later, the 45th crossed the Moselle River and entered the foothills of Vosges Mountains of Alsace Lorraine. On November 25, the Thunderbird began its push through the Maginot Line. In early January 1945, the 45th fought defensively against a counter-attack along the German border. Then in February, the 45th moved north and broke through the Siegfried Line crossing the Rhine on March 26. Finally, in early April of 1945, the Thunderbird began its devastating push across the middle of Germany to the Danube. Following his service to his country, he returned home to Ewington to raise his family.

Ish is survived by four children: Raymond "Gene" Argabright, Kannapolis, North Carolina, Velma (Justin) Williams, Judith Perry, Gallipolis, Ohio, and Paula (Keith) Saunders, Bidwell, Ohio; eleven grandchildren: Jill Myers, Jay, and Mark Argabright, Vicki Beach, Lisa Isaacs, Lori Prendergast, Melissa Jones, Justin Williams, Susan Hopkins, Jessie and Pete Saunders; nineteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; and a loving pet, Lilly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, June Ilene Argabright on June 10, 2009; two grandsons, Jeffrey Eugene Glenn and Timothy Ray Glenn; six sisters and five brothers.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in the Faith Baptist Church, Rodney, Ohio, with Rev. Jim Lusher, officiating. Burial will follow in Vinton Memorial Park. Full Military Services will be conducted by the Gallia County Veterans Service Organization. Friends and family may call 5:00 - 8:00 PM Monday at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, Gallipolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to:

Gallia County Veterans Funeral Detail
c/o Henry Myers
1102 German Hollow Rd
Patriot OH 45658

Condolences may be sent to www.mccoymoore.com