Arthur James Lenarz

Arthur James Lenarz, 95, of Uhrichsville, died Thursday, January 17, 2008 in Riverside Manor Nursing Home at Newcomerstown.A son of the late James and Adda (Grove) Lenarz, Arthur was born September 6, 1912 at Bolivar, Ohio.At the age of 14, Arthur started working in the coal mines. He was employed at the Midvale Coal Mine and later worked for the Potash Mines in New Mexico. He then worked for Pacific Western Contractors at California until 1976 when he and Jessie returned to Tuscarawas County to enjoy retirement.He was a member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia. He enjoyed music, especially country music. He played guitar in a band that once performed at the Wheeling, West Virginia Jamboree. Arthur was also considered an excellent yodeler. Also in his younger years, he was an amateur boxer.Arthur’s greatest joys in life were his family. He especially enjoyed treating his “little one’s” to their first ice cream cone and Hershey Kisses.He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Jessie S. (Jones) Lenarz, whom he married on July 20, 1932; his children, Dorothy (Richard) Yoder of Wooster, Ohio, Arthur “Gene” (Joanne) Lenarz of Freeport, Ohio, Wilma (Harold) Watson of Soquel, California, Betty (William) Alexander of Hartville, Ohio, Linda Wood of Gilroy, California, Janice (Rod) Wimer of Uhrichsville and David (Candice) Lenarz of Uhrichsville; 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren and two sisters, Grace Barlock of Pensacola, Florida and Virginia Ball of Dover.Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jessie Almeda Morgan; five brothers, Ross “Bill”, Kermit, Calvin, Floyd and Robert Lenarz; two sisters, Elda Miller and Lelia Tilkey; three grandchildren; three great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.Family and friends may call on Sunday, January 20, 2008 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Arthur’s life will be held on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Rev. Dr. Steven Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in Arthur’s memory to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622 or to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663Linn-Hert-Geib330-343-5506www.geibfuneral.com