Eleanor Marsh Kirk

Eleanor Marsh Kirk, age 80, a longtime resident of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Monday morning, December 12, 2005 in Foundations Health Care Center at Toledo, Ohio.Born on the dining room table of her parent’s Orchard Avenue home on August 17, 1925 she was a daughter of the late Victor R. and Gladys P. Snyder Marsh. Better known as Elly to her friends and family, this renaissance woman lead a most adventurous life with interests in astronomy, horticulture, music, family, faith and with her God-given gift of leadership Â? crafted many events that are now cherished memories by those she leaves behind. Following graduation from New Philadelphia High School in 1943, she enrolled at Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware to pursue a major in music with a minor in organ. Following graduation, Elly became the youth director at Trinity Methodist Church at Grandview, Ohio. On December 27, 1947 Elly married her life long sweetheart Â? Brenton Kirk Â? in a Christmastime ceremony in what is presently the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia. Eleanor served as the choir director at First United Church of Christ for more than twenty-two years. She also served the congregation as youth director for many years. In addition to her lifetime membership at First United Church of Christ, Elly was a member of the College Club of Tuscarawas County, the Music Study Club, Ikebana, and the Dover-New Philadelphia Garden Club. Elly and Brent’s family includes two daughters, Elizabeth Kirk Hicks and husband Dwain of New Philadelphia, and Kathryn Louise Kirk of Brooklyn, New York, and two sons; Phillip Russell and wife Helen Kirk of Maumee, Ohio, and the late Brenton Marsh Kirk. Ten grandchildren, Joseph Russell and wife Kim Hicks Â? Denver, Colorado, Jonathan Dwain Hicks of Los Angeles, California, Juliet Lynn Hicks of Denver, Colorado, Phillip Brent Hicks of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Christopher Hicks of Delaware, Ohio, Eleana Camille Kirk and Paloma Luisa Kirk of Brooklyn, New York, and Celesta Jane Kirk, Nora Lois Kirk and Leah Marsh Kirk all of Maumee complete the family. Survivors also include her two sisters; Kathryn Marsh Medley of Los Gatos, California, and Victoria Ann Warner and husband Rodney of Sarasota, Florida and her brother Victor Russell Marsh, Jr. and wife Patricia of Canton, Ohio. Friends are invited to call Friday, December 16, from 2 PM until 4PM and 6PM until 8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Reverend Jeff Gerber will lead a celebration of Elly’s life Saturday afternoon, December 17, at 3 PM in the sanctuary of First United Church of Christ, 201 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a reception will be given in the church fellowship hall. A private family graveside service is scheduled for Evergreen Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ, 201 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663, or to the Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe Street, Dover, Ohio, 44622.