Donald W. Hutchison

Donald W. Hutchison, age 59, of New Philadelphia, was surrounded by his loving family as he was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 23, 2009, following a seven month battle with Pancreatic Cancer.A son of the late Warren G. and Mildred L. (Murphy) Hutchison, Don was born on February 23, 1950, in Union Hospital at Dover, Ohio.Don was a 1968 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Army.On April 19, 1970, Don married his high school sweetheart, the former Sandra K. Grove, and together would rear three children.Throughout the 1970’s Don served as a police officer with the New Philadelphia Police Department and would later go on to own and operate First Guardian Financial Group. Don was a member of the First Baptist Church at New Philadelphia and was an avid fan of the New Philadelphia Quakers and the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers as well as The Ohio State Buckeyes. He also enjoyed golfing and working in his yard. With a smile on his face and a wonderful sense of humor, Don was a joy to be around. He cherished the time he spent with his children and especially his grandchildren as he attended their sporting activities. In addition to his wife of nearly forty years, Don leaves behind a family which includes a daughter, Lori (Chris) Ricklic of New Philadelphia and two sons, Richard (Nettie) Hutchison of Beach City and Steven (Holly) Hutchison of New Philadelphia; his twin brother, Ronald (Nancy) Hutchison of Atlanta, Georgia and a brother Willard (Bette) Thomas of Cuyahoga Falls.Seven grandchildren, Nathan Gribble, Drew Hutchison, Erika Hutchison, Chad Franklin, Zander Ricklic, Mason Ricklic, and Chase Hutchison as well as numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.The family will receive friends on Friday, November 27, 2009 from 2:00 � 4:00 and 6:00 � 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Don’s life will be led by Pastor Jeff Bartell and Mr. Jim Mastroine on Saturday, November 28, 2009, at 10:30 AM in the First Baptist Church at New Philadelphia. In keeping with Don’s wishes cremation care will be conducted through Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover following the service.The family would like to invite guests to join them in the gymnasium, located within the church, where a meal and fellowship will be shared following the service.Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be sent to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to The First Baptist Church, 878 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.