Elizabeth Jean Belknap

Elizabeth Jean “Libby” Belknap, 86, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday, December 02, 2010 in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover following a period of declining health.A daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Williams) James, Elizabeth was born September 5, 1924 at Midvale, Ohio.On June 15, 1946, Elizabeth married Roy “Nappy” Belknap and they raised four children, Joyce, Vicki, Jim and Shelley. The couple shared 42 years of marriage together prior to Roy’s passing on July 6, 1988. She was formerly employed in the Deli Department at Buehler’s. Prior to that, she was a long time employee of Aberth’s Bakery at New Philadelphia.Elizabeth was a member of the former New Philadelphia Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, Tuscarawas County Democratic Women and AARP. She enjoyed playing Bingo and cards as well as the occasional visit to casinos to play slot machines. Elizabeth also enjoyed bowling during her younger years.She is survived by her children, Vicki (Joe) Pompey and Jim (Thea) Belknap both of New Philadelphia and Shelley (Tim) Kugler of Dover; her grandchildren, Tammy Archinal and Beth (Bill) Robin both of Dover, Lisa (Brad) Walter of Pennsylvania, Nikki (Corey) Mills of Rootstown, Ohio, Mike Belknap and Chris (Jaime) Meese both of Dover, Yvonne (John) Ackerman of Massillon, Ohio, Stephanie Correll of Dover and Kelly (Troy) Oreto and Erik (Bobbie Jo) Kugler both of New Philadelphia ; 27 great grandchildren; a sister, Alice Holmes; a sister-in-law Ruby Swihart; a brother-in-law, Ed Connor all of New Philadelphia and several nieces and nephews.Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Joyce Meese; a great granddaughter, Sara Kugler; her companion, Ralph Slentz; her brothers, Lester and George Phillips; her sisters, Virginia Harsha and Veda Ott and sisters-in-law, Gladys Emery, Bessie Schwartz and Maxine Connor.The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Elizabeth’s life will be held on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Hugh Berry officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.The family would like to thank Dr. Burnham, Dr. Desiato, the nurses and staff of the South Medical Unit at Union Hospital as well as the staff at Park Village Assisted Living and Park Village Health Care Center for the exemplary care given to Elizabeth.Contributions may be made in Elizabeth’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622 or to the American Cancer Society, 525 North Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406.