Adrian E. ”gene” Meese

Adrian Eugene “Gene” Meese, age 80, of New Philadelphia, a well-regarded craftsman of wood, passed away early Saturday morning, January 29, 2011 in Hennis Care Center at Dover, where he had resided for the past five years. Born at New Philadelphia August 30, 1930, he was a son of the late Richard V. and Dorothy M. Gribble Meese. A 1948 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, Gene attended Miami University of Ohio before serving in the United States Army. He then wed his wife, Phyllis, on December 23, 1951. Upon his return to New Philadelphia, he went to work at the former Geiser & Kappler for 18 years before launching Meese Woodcrafts in 1973. For the next three decades, Gene would work with his sons in the operation of the company, that prided itself on the quality craftsmanship Gene had mastered. Gene was a lifelong member of New Philadelphia’s First United Church of Christ Â? where he served as a deacon and as an elder, a church trustee and member of the senior choir. His memberships also included the New Philadelphia Quaker Club, and the Carpenter’s Local # 69. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, the former Phyllis A. Fagley, of the home. Together, they reared two sons; David (Vickie) Meese of New Philadelphia and Gregory (Jill) Meese also of New Philadelphia, and a daughter; Sue (Clay) Huenemann of Lafayette, Indiana.He’ll be sadly missed by his grandchildren; Thad (Beth) Meese of Hudson, Kelly (Danny) Hettinger of New Philadelphia, Jill Huenemann of Lafayette, Indiana, and Jay Huenemann, also of Lafayette, Indiana and his great-granddaughters; Julia and Hannah Meese.Public Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m. Cremation has been conducted through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover.Memorial contributions may be directed to either The First United Church of Christ, PO Box 422, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4815 Munson St NW, Canton, Ohio 44718.