Clara Elizabeth Swartzbaugh

Clara “Tillie” Elizabeth Swartzbaugh, 84, of New Philadelphia, died Friday, April 18, 2008 in her home.Born October 16, 1923 at New Philadelphia, Ohio, Tillie was the daughter of the late William L. and Genevieve (Hensel) Haman.She was a 1941 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. Throughout her high school years, Tillie was a member of the cheerleading squad during the Woody Hayes coaching era.After graduation she attended the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing at Canton, Ohio. Her class of 44 girls became the first class of “Cadet” nurses graduating in 1944. Tillie then went to work for Union Hospital in the surgical unit until she married Richard “Dick” C. Swartzbaugh on October 6, 1946. The couple enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Dick’s passing on August 20, 1997.Tillie was a member of the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia.She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Richard B. and Sandra (Thomas) Swartzbaugh of Dover; a daughter, Becky J. Swartzbaugh and her dear friend, John Thomas both New Philadelphia; two grandsons, John Swartzbaugh and Michael Swartzbaugh and his wife Leslie all of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, M. Jean Tschudy of New Philadelphia, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Swartzbaugh of New Philadelphia; a brother-in-law, Joe Nagy of Florida; one niece; one nephew; two great nieces and one great nephew; and a close family friend, Beverly Tomer of Canton, OhioTillie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dick; a brother, Robert L. Haman; brother-in-law, Robert E. Swartzbaugh and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Nagy and Matilda Kaltenbaugh and The family will receive guests on Monday, April 21, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A memorial reception will follow in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia where Rev. Brian Flood will offer a eulogy. A private family graveside service will be held later in the afternoon in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.Tillie will be sadly missed by her family and friends but will always be remembered by her beautiful smile, sweet personality and for her generous and gracious heart.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Tillie’s family requests that contributions be made in her memory to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.