Donald O. Beaber

Donald O. Beaber, 105, a lifelong resident and gentle soul of New Philadelphia, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2013, in New Dawn Nursing Home following a short period of declining health.

Born in New Philadelphia on August 27, 1907, he was a son of the late George Franklin and Mary (Kinsey) Beaber.

After graduating from New Philadelphia High School in 1926, he served his country in the United States Army Air Corp. Don served 27 months in WW II in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands with the 101st Army Communications systems as a radio technician. He maintained a membership with the American Legion Post #139 throughout his lifetime.

Upon return home, Don became incredibly involved with both of his family’s businesses including the family owned Beabers Coal Mine and Beaber’s IGA Foodliner on the south side. His management of the coal mine continued until 1956 when the mine was sold. At the grocery store, where he was responsible for meat cutting.

As a young man, Don greatly enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and he visited all of the providences in Canada, too. He also enjoyed gardening, specifically growing tomatoes and sharing them with others. Other areas of interest included photography and listening to organ music.

Don’s faith was nurtured at Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia where he joined the church on September 18, 1921.

Don loved his family dearly. He will be missed by his 6 nieces and nephews, Cheryl (Terry) Sauser of Stonecreek, Pamela (Terry) Hykes of New Philadelphia, Richard (Dorothy) Beaber of FL, Glenn (Sara) Beaber of Columbus, Jerry (Louise) Beaber of SC, and Miriam Anderson of CA; 18 great-nieces and nephews; 27 great-great-nieces and nephews; and 24 great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert O. and Virgil Beaber; his sisters, Viola and Florance Beaber and Anna Wyss; and his nieces, Martha Wyss and Geraldine Manning.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Pastor Bill Sowers will officiate a service celebrating Don’s life Thursday at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia where military honors will be rendered.

Friends are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal will be shared following the committal service.

Memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be directed to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Ave. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Don by visiting the funeral home website at www.GeibCares.com.