Dean Franklin Coutts

Dean Franklin Coutts, 87, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, October 29, 2010 in Aultman Hospital at Canton following a short illness.A son of the late Russell B. Coutts and the late Kathryn (Fribley) Coutts-Arth, Dean was born August 12, 1923 at New Philadelphia, Ohio.Dean graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1942. He then graduated from Coyne Electrical School at Chicago, Illinois.On January 17, 1943, Dean married the love of his life, the former Gladys A. Williams and together the couple raised five children, Susan, Steven, David, Debbie and Jay.Dean retired in 1985 from Joy Manufacturing as an electrical engineer, a position he held for over 45 years.He was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia for over 60 years and for 50 of those years, he was a member of the choir. He also taught Sunday School and was a youth group leader. Dean was also a member of the New Philadelphia Masonic Lodge F. & A.M.One of his greatest passions was music. He enjoyed singing with the Schoenbrunn Valley Barbershop as well as with The Retreads. Dean also was able to play a wide variety of musical instruments. When not keeping busy with music, he was usually “tinkering” with various projects around his home.He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gladys Coutts; his children, Susan (David) Dillon of Terre Haute, Indiana, Steven (Dana) Coutts of New Philadelphia, David (Linda) Coutts of Tamarac, Florida, Debbie (Phil) Gooding of Sherrodsville and Jay (Melissa) Coutts of Parkland, Florida; his grandchildren, Corinne (Ron) McAbier of New Philadelphia, Dennis Dillon, Sarah (John) Carson and Matthew (Jamie) Dillon all of Terre Haute, Indiana, Carrie (Zachary) Lendon of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kathryn (Chris) Balinger of Orlando, Florida, Steven, Abby and Carly Gooding all of Sherrodsville; Jayson (Lauren) Coutts of Tamarac, Florida and Bryan and Heath Coutts both of Parkland, Florida; great grandchildren, Kaleb and Maggie McAbier, Olivia, Jacob, Grace and Isaiah Carson, Ashton and Gage Dillon and Wyatt and Joel Lendon; a brother-in-law, Glenn Carlisle and sister-in-law, Dorothy Coutts both of New Philadelphia.Dean was preceded in death by his parents; two granddaughters, Christine Dillon and Nicole Coutts; a great granddaughter, Serena Joy Carson; a brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Elizabeth Coutts; his twin brother, Eugene Coutts and a sister, Leah Carlisle.The family will receive friends on Monday, November 1, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib-Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia and again one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. A funeral service celebrating Dean’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 2 p.m. in Broadway United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia with Rev. Bill Sowers and Rev. Bob Mathias officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the church.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in Dean’s memory to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.He was kind and gentle. He could fix anything and make music on any instrument placed in his hands. He was a rare man who loved God, his sweetheart and his family. He cherished life. We will live by his motto, “never, never, never give up.” We will miss him.Geib330-343-5506www.geibcares.com