Edward C. Engelhart

Edward C. Engelhart, age 90, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia, died late Monday evening, August 21, 2006, in the Country Club Retirement Center at Dover. Born at New Philadelphia, October 23, 1915, Ed was a son of the late Arthur and Ida May Christy Engelhart. Ed attended New Philadelphia High School before enlisting in the United States Army. During World War II, he served as an observer for the 95th Field Artillery Division. The 95th participated in the invasion of Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. For his courageous service, Ed was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Clusters, and was decorated with the Purple Heart. While Ed was with the 95th the division was also deployed in the African and Middle Eastern Campaigns. Mr. Engelhart’s work life included a partnership with his brother-in-law, Walter Stocksdale in the East Front Street Market at Dover. In 1981, Ed retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation following a career that spanned three decades. In his leisure time, Ed enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as gardening. From his porch on Fair Avenue NE, Ed delighted in watching youngsters from the East end come and go from New Philadelphia’s East School. Many young adults have yet to kick the Kit-Kat habit that Ed created by generously sharing the candy bar’s with those who made their way too and from school past the Engelhart home each day. Ed will be remembered by some as Mr. Buckeye – as he lived for Ohio State Football each season.For more than sixty years, Ed was a member of New Philadelphia Lodge # 177 F. & A. M. where he was a 32nd Degree Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton, a longtime member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and a life member of VFW Post 1445, all at New Philadelphia. On May 31, 1943, Ed married the former Jane Marie Stocksdale. The couple observed their 53rd wedding anniversary prior to her death November 3, 2003. Together, they reared a family that includes two sons, David (wife Janet) Engelhart of Dover and Mike Engelhart of Phoenix, Arizona, with whom Ed and Jane spent many winters; and a daughter, IvaJane (husband Dan) Miles of New Philadelphia. Two grandchildren, Todd (wife Michelle) Miles of Carrollton, and Trisha (husband Kip) Eriksen of Columbus, great-grandchildren Jace Miles, Miles Authur and Lucas Jeffery Eriksen; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Stocksdale of New Philadelphia, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walter and Clara Stocksdale of New Philadelphia complete the family.In addition to his parents and wife of fifty-three years, Ed was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Wengerd and Maxine Engelhart, and a grandson, Chad David Engelhart. Cremation is planned, and family and friends are invited to gather for a memorial service Saturday, September 2, 2006 in the Chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Masonic services will commence at 10:30, followed by Lutheran Church Council Services, a reading of selected scripture, and military honors, which will be rendered by members of the VFW Post 1445 Military Funeral Detail. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover OH 44622.