Bessie O McPeek

Bessie Opal McPeek, age 92, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia, passed away Thursday evening, October 8, 2009 at her daughter’s residence following a long period of declining health.Bessie was born April 25, 1917 in Lost Creek, West Virginia to the late Floyd Arthur and Agnes (Ward) Hollis. After completing her education, she spent her lifetime as a cook at a variety of restaurants before retiring in her later years.Throughout her lifetime, many memories were made with her family fishing off the banks of nearby lakes. Bessie also loved and appreciated nature and animals, instilling that quality in her children and grandchildren too. Her life was spent with her husband and friend, Albert Paul McPeek who preceded Bessie in death in 1973. Together, they raised three daughters who survive including, Rose (Larry) Palmer of North Lawrence, O., Diane Marteny of Dover, and Ruth (friend, Jack Bradford) Greenwood of Newcomerstown.Bessie will also be missed by her grandchildren, Scott Slocum, Lee Slocum, Sherry (significant other, George Lutz) Palmer, Tammy Tusing, Christopher Marteny, and Allen Marteny; her great-grandchildren, Tyler, Tiffany, Leah, and Preston Slocum, Cole, Julian and Sawyer Marteny, Todd Tusing, Brittany Palmer, and Joseph Lutz.In addition to her parents and husband, Bessie was preceded in death by her son, Jack McPeek; her brothers and sisters, Verna Shepler, Ruby Matthias, Cleo Hollis, Charlie Hollis, Delbert Hollis, Clarence Hollis, Johnny Hollis, Lorainne MacDonald, Roy Hollis, Leo Hollis, Susan Shepler, and two stillborn siblings; her granddaughter, Stephanie Marteny; and her great-granddaughter, Kierston Mansfield.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, 116 Second St. NE on Monday, October 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. A service celebrating Bessie’s life will be held in the funeral home’s chapel on Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Randy Chapman officiating the service. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.