Dean Willis Jarvis

Dean Willis Jarvis, 79, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully in Union Hospital Friday evening, January 2, 2004 following a lengthy illness.Born in New Philadelphia on January 18, 1924, Dean was a son of the late Clyde Samuel Jarvis and Lena Stahl Jarvis. He attended New Philadelphia High School. Mr. Jarvis owned and operated the former Jarvis Trailer Sales and Service Company and the former Jarvis Lumber and Pallet Company, both in Stillwater. He operated these companies until his retirement in 1982. A decade later, he and his wife built a home in New Philadelphia, where he resided until his death.Dean was an active member of Broadway United Methodist Church, where he devoted a great deal of time and effort to the growth of the congregation by serving in various leadership capacities. He was a member of the Golden Rule Sunday School Class. Mr. Jarvis was active in civic affairs, and has served on the Board of Education for Rush Township Schools, Claymont Consolidated Schools, and the Buckeye Career Center. Dean was a charter member, past president, and immediate past treasurer of the Tuscarawas County Camp of Gideons. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and golfing with his friends. He was proud of sponsoring a travel trailer club known as the Jarvis Drifters. Aside from his family and church, his lawn was his pride and joy, which was always kept in immaculate condition. Since his retirement, he enjoyed wintering in Bonita Springs and Trenton, Florida. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine and a half years, the former Lois Virginia Edwards, whom he wed July 22, 1944. Together, they raised a son, Rodney (Jane) Jarvis of New Philadelphia, OH; and a daughter Rhonda Boot (fiancé Randy Koehler), of Elkhart Indiana; grandchildren Michael (Susan) Jarvis of Dover, Michelle (Steve) McCue of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Matthew and Ashley Boot of Elkhart, IN; four great-grandchildren, Molly, Dean, Beth, and Zachary. A brother, Dwight (Dorothy) Jarvis of Dover, Delaware; sister Norma Jean Mueller of Lakeland, Florida, and sister-in-law Doris Jarvis of Green Valley, Arizona, complete the family.In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by a brother, Donald S. Jarvis. Friends are invited to call Sunday January 4, 2004, from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia, where the Tuscarawas Valley Camp of Gideon’s will conduct lodge services at 8 PM.Rev. William Sours will officiate a funeral service, celebrating the life of Dean Jarvis, Monday, January 5, 2004 at 11 AM in the Sanctuary of Broadway United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Members of the Broadway United Methodist Church will host a reception for family and friends in the church fellowship hall, following the service. In honor of his lifetime of service, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following charities; Tuscarawas Valley Camp of Gideon’s, c/o Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 261, Dover, OH 44622, Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Street SE, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663, or to Rush Christian School, 4617 Watson Creek Road, Uhrichsville, OH 44683.