Bessie R. Schwartz

Bessie R. Schwartz, age 90, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully late Thursday afternoon, October 21, 2010, in Country Club Center at Dover. Born September 19, 1920 at New Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late George and Bertha Boyd Belknap.She was a familiar face at the former Fashion Barn, of Miracle Lane Plaza where she served as store manager for twenty years, until her retirement upon the closing of the store in the mid 1980’s. A member of New Philadelphia’s First Nazarene Church, her memberships also included the Tuscarawas County Democratic Women, and until her health prevented her from serving, Bessie could be counted upon as a poll worker on Election Day. On October 3, 1937, Bessie married the late Soloman E. Schwartz. They would celebrate sixty-six wedding anniversaries before his passing on January 15, 2004. Many memories were made during family camping trips to Paradise Lake, near Alliance, Ohio.Survivors include a daughter, Carol Geers of Dover; and a son, George E. (wife, Barbara) Schwartz, of New Philadelphia; five grandchildren, Geoffrey Geers and Terry (companion, Lori Spittle) Geers, both of New Philadelphia, Michael Geers of Dover, Penny Byers of New Philadelphia, and Kelly (companion, Steve Walton) Schwartz, of Dover. She’ll be sadly missed by four great-grandchildren; T.J. (wife, Brittany) Geers, Nathan (fiancé Alex McConnell) Geers, and Skyler Byers, all of New Philadelphia, and Shelby Walton, of Dover. A sister, Ruby Swihart of New Philadelphia, a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Belknap and brother-in-law, Ed Connor, as well as a special niece, Sherry Levers, all of New Philadelphia, also survive.Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins complete the family. In addition to her parents, and husband, Mrs. Schwartz is preceded in death by her son-in-law, Charles Geers, two sisters; Maxine Connor and Gladys Emery, and two brothers; Roy Belknap, and an infant brother, Maxwell Belknap.Friends are invited to call Sunday afternoon from 4PM Â? 7PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor William Waltz will lead Mrs. Schwartz’s funeral service Monday morning at 11 AM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, alongside her husband, will follow in New Philadelphia’s East Avenue Cemetery. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas, 75265.