Edna Irene Dempsey

Edna Irene Gartrell Dempsey, age 71, of New Philadelphia died suddenly Thursday, November 10, 2011, in her home. Born at Dover, July 15, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Orlo Wayne Gartrell and Margaret Elizabeth Fisher Gartrell. A 1958 graduate of Midvale High School, Edna was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia, where she taught Sunday School for 18 years. In recent years, Edna attended church services at Park Christian Church at Dennison. She was a longtime member and past worthy matron of New Philadelphia Chapter 222 of the Order of Eastern Star. Prior to retirement, Edna worked for many years as a personal lines insurance customer service representative for Pretorius Insurance of Dover, and Morris Insurance of New Philadelphia among other area agencies. For the past six years, Edna has delighted in caring for a special child in her neighborhood, Joey Fulton. When not working or babysitting, Edna enjoyed bowling. She was a former member of the Dover-New Philadelphia Women’s Bowling Association, and has been a longtime member of the Twin City Women’s Bowling Association where she served as the treasurer and member of the association’s board of directors. At the time of her death, she not only tended to secretary and treasurer’s responsibilities in the Women’s Bowling Association, but for the Twin City Men’s Association as well. On December 10, 1983, Edna married Leonard Dempsey who preceded her in death on June 30, 1997. Survivors include her three brothers and their families; John R. Gartrell and his wife Jane of New Philadelphia, David Gartrell and his wife Julie of Dennison, and Jerry Gartrell and his wife Karen of Dover. She’ll be sadly missed by her niece April Linard and her husband Joe, and their children Jett and Daisy, of Dover, nephew Jeremy Gartrell and his wife Amber, of Dover, nephew Andrew J. Gartrell and his wife Aubri of New Philadelphia, nephew Daniel Gartrell and his wife Julie and their children Alex, Brittney and Ashley of Dennison, nephew Troy Jones and his wife Amy, and their daughter, Haley of West Chester, OH. Two great-nieces Elena and Kathryn Gartrell of Doylestown, as well as special friends John and Joan Fulton of New Philadelphia and their son Joey, also survive. In addition to her parents and husband, Edna is preceded in death by her nephew David Gartrell Jr. Friends are invited to call Sunday from 1-3 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Pastor Scot Caley of Park Christian Church will lead a funeral service for Mrs. Dempsey Monday morning at 10:30. Burial, alongside her husband, will follow at Dover Burial Park. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may me made to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover OH 44622.