Beverly B. Freshwater

Beverly B. (Haswell) Freshwater, age 92, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully, on Friday, February 13, 2015 while in the care of Community Hospice House.

A daughter of the late Arthur Rudy and Ethel Marie (Hinig) Haswell, Bev was born at Strasburg on March 16, 1922.

Bev was a 1940 graduate of Strasburg High School and married the love of her life, Lester Freshwater on April 29, 1944. Together the couple raised three children and celebrated 70 years of marriage.

A longtime and active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bev was involved in the Martin Luther Sunday School Class, the Prayer Chain and assisted for many years in the bereavement meals.

For many years, Bev was a volunteer with Starlight School and Workshop as a bus driver and later transitioned to a supervisor’s position at the Workshop. She and Les enjoyed being active in the Meals on Wheels program and helping to provide transportation to and from the Cleveland Clinic for area patients.

In her free time, Bev enjoyed reading but above all, she was an avid sports enthusiast. Traveling throughout the United States to catch the sporting activities of her family members was a true highlight for Bev. She was also a fan of the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Another passion Bev enjoyed was traveling and vacationing with family.

Bev leaves behind her husband and their three children, Lester L. (Karen) Freshwater, Jr. of Michigan, Karen (Tom) Parrish of Marion, Ohio and Barbara (Mark) Davis of Columbus; five grandchildren, Michael (Kerry) Parrish, Lesley (Kevin) Conway, Natalie (Joe) Anderson, Ben (Maria) Davis, Ian Freshwater; two step-grandchildren, Christopher and Alexander Stephens and 10 great-grandchildren.

Other survivors include her siblings, Eddie (Mary) Haswell, Harriet (Jim) Duval, John (Alice) Haswell, Jerry Haswell, Doris Minor, Nancy (Howard) Beichel all of Strasburg, Roberta Kay (Ron) Gray, Georgean (Richard) Lutz all of Massillon, and Ronald “Nick” (Glenna) Haswell of Strasburg as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Bev was preceded in death by siblings, Bobby Haswell, June Dreher, Pete Haswell, Thomas Haswell, Patty Weber and Katherine Minnich.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, February, 17, 2015 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Rev. Lee Eilert and Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service celebrating Bev’s life in Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery. Following the services, all are invited to return to the Fellowship Hall of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where a meal will be shared.

Memorial contributions in Bev’s memory may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 202 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.