Calvin Schlabach

Calvin Schlabach, of Sherrodsville, and a former resident of Guernsey County and Hartville, Ohio, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Mar. 21, 2002, at his home with his wife by his side.Calvin was born Apr. 22, 1931, in Orrville, Ohio, a son of the late Daniel C. and Alta Hochstetler Schlabach. On Nov. 15, 1959, he married the former Patricia M. Base in Pomona, California.He was raised in the northeastern Ohio area, and left the state as a young man to join his older brother in Texas. Calvin was then drafted in to the U.S. Army, and, upon his discharge, relocated to San Diego, California, where he enrolled in several educational courses, and private pilots’ training. He enjoyed flying small aircraft during his lifetime. In San Diego, he began a career in the moving and storage industry, working up from a truck driver, to supervisor and then to operations manager for Trans Ocean Van Service in Honolulu, Hawaii. Calvin remained in Hawaii for five years, during which time he met his future wife. He then returned to southern California, where he continued in the moving and storage industry, serving in numerous positions that involved travel to Europe, as well as throughout the United States.A few years later, Calvin returned to Honolulu, but this time as general manager of the Hawaiian operations of Global Van Lines. He worked in that capacity for one year. A career change was in order, and Calvin and his family returned to the mainland so the children could be raised in a more rural and Christian environment. They bought a small farm in Marlboro Township, Stark County, Ohio. Calvin worked as a contractor, and also owned Hartville Paint & Wallpaper. He was a member of the Hartville Church of God, where he served faithfully as adult Sunday school teacher, youth advisor and on the church board.Later in life, Calvin and his family moved to Guernsey County, where he worked in land sales and development. During this time, he enjoyed numerous hunting trips in the west with his son. Calvin became a member of the Byesville Assembly of God, where he, again, taught Sunday school, and served as an usher for many years.Survivors include his wife of forty-two years, Patricia; a son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Susan Johnson Schlabach of Magnolia; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy D. and R. Yurt Yann of Oldsmar, Florida; three grandsons, Zane Douglas Schlabach, J. Connor and Calvin Christian Yann; brothers, Chris D. and John Schlabach, both of Hartville, Danny Schlabach of Alliance, Wayne Schlabach of Sanford, North Carolina, and Vernon Schlabach of Smolen, Kansas; sisters, Sarah and Clara Hostetler, both of Hartville, Betty Smith of Alliance, and Alta M. Rohrer of Orrville; many beloved nieces and nephews.Calvin was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother and an infant sister, William and Mary Schlabach; and by his older brother, Eli “Boots” Schlabach.Visitation will be Sunday, Mar. 24, 2002, 2-5 p.m., in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home, New Philadelphia, Ohio. A funeral service will be held Monday, Mar. 25, 2002, at 11 a.m., in the funeral home. Rev. Glen A. Shedlock will officiate. Burial will be Monday, at 2 p.m., in Marlboro Cemetery, near Alliance, with Rev. John Smith officiating. Following the committal, family and friends are invited to the Southside Church of God, Alliance, for a fellowship meal.Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 606, Dover, Ohio 44622.