Connie Finton

Constance Eva “Connie” Finton, a dedicated community servant, dairy farmer, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on her 78th birthday, April 9, 2025 following a period of declining health.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 9, 1947, to the late Charles Edgar and Eva Esther (Cannon) Wilson, Connie graduated from Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, and furthered her education at Orlando Junior College.

In 1966, while working at a department store, Connie met Charles Clifford “Cliff” Finton, who was stationed at the Naval Air Station Stanford in Florida. The two married on November 18, 1967. Although Connie originally envisioned a life of world travel with her sailor husband, she eventually embraced the life of a dairy farmer in New Philadelphia, and grew deeply devoted to it.

Her first visit to the dairy farm was memorable—she arrived wearing white jeans, unaware that this was the beginning of her life as a dairy farmer. She eventually managed 150 acres, milking a 100-cow herd twice a day, advocating for the dairy industry, and discussing agricultural matters with local CEOs.

Connie was widely respected in the community as both a skilled dairy farmer and a dedicated volunteer. She contributed her time to many organizations, including the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau, Union Hospital Development and Community Relations board, the Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services advisory committee, the Got Milk? Got Cookies? Got Books? reading program, the Fit Youth Initiative, 4-H, and the Farm Bureau.

Additionally, she participated in national and state dairy farming organizations such as the Dairy Farmers of America Mideast Council, the Ohio Dairy Industry Forum, Ohio Dairy Producers Inc., ADADC Mideast, the Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Health Committee, Milk Marketing Inc., and Maryland-Virginia Milk Co-op.

Connie found joy in combining her professional life as a dairy farmer with her leadership roles on various dairy boards, bringing innovative ideas back to Tuscarawas County to implement locally.

In 1993, Connie, along with members of the Union Hospital Auxiliary, founded the Christmas Tree Festival, an annual event she devoted countless hours to, which raised significant funds for the hospital. She also helped establish the Women’s Success Series, a partnership between the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

In 2008, Connie’s volunteer efforts were formally recognized when she received the Lucille Nussdorfer Tuscarawas County Woman of the Year Award. In 2016 she received the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. Her faith was nurtured at Jerusalem Church and Ruslin Hills Church, where she taught Sunday School and was actively involved in Vacation Bible School.

Connie is survived by her husband, Cliff; children, Suzanne E. (companion, Mark Hundley) Loy, Charles C. “Charlie” (Lisa) Finton, and Matthew C. Finton; grandchildren, Jeff (Kimber) Loy and their daughter, Astrid, Chris (Nikki) Finton and their son Cayne, Kurt (Torree Corpman) Finton and his daughter Brynlee, and Brittany (fiancé, Brock Daugherty) Finton; siblings, Marilynn (Bill) Sellers and Charlene (Charlie) Hart; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in Jerusalem Church on Monday, April 14, 2025 beginning at 11 a.m. with Revs. Dr. Tom Hendershot and Dr. Terry Downin officiating. Inurnment will be held in Jerusalem Church Cemetery. Following the graveside service, friends and family are invited to the church fellowship hall for a time of food and fellowship.

Memorial contributions in Connie’s memory may be directed to either Jerusalem Church, 1417 Stonecreek Rd., New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Ruslin Hills Church, 5839 Ruslin Hills Rd., Dover, OH 44622.

Connie’s favorite piece of advice was, “Keep out of other people’s business,” and she often said, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.”