Elmer John Stein

Elmer John Stein, 93, of New Philadelphia, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Park Village Southside while under the care of Community Hospice.

A son of the late William and Matilda (Regula) Stein, Elmer was born March 22, 1928, in the Fresno, Ohio area. He graduated from Baltic High School in 1946, where he was an active member of the band, playing the tuba, a bass singer for the school chorus, and also was pitcher for the school baseball team.

In his young adult life, Elmer became a well-known pitcher for the Stone Creek Baseball team and had an opportunity to audition for the Cleveland Indians. In 1992, he was inducted into the CY Young Tuscarawas County Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame.

On August 21, 1948, he married his sweetheart, Thresea Holskey. Together they had three children and shared in 67 years of marriage prior to her passing on March 25, 2016.

Elmer was an extremely talented bass singer, who sang with the Baltic Men’s Chorus, Schoenbrunn Valley Barbershop Chorus, The Wanderers, who appeared on television on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York City, The Sunshine Boys, and the Union Hill Gospel Singers. He also sang in the Stone Creek United Church of Christ Choir, and the Broadway United Methodist Church Wesleyan Choir, where he was a current church member. Through the years, Elmer was honored to have been a soloist in countless weddings and events.

First employed by the former Finzer Brothers Brick Plant in Sugarcreek, and then by the former Stone Creek Brick Plant, Elmer retired from the Gradall Company in New Philadelphia after 32 years. Additionally, Elmer served for 27 years as a founding member of the Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Surviving are two sons, Ronald (Miriam) Stein and Stephan (Carla) Stein; a daughter, Susan (Randy) Mast; eight grandchildren, Sascha (Chad) Durben, Kara (Mark) Coooper, Hannah (Cody) Addy, Andy (Nicole) Stein, Brandon (Tammi McMath) Stein, Heather Mast, Heath (Katie) Mast, Amanda (Michael) Feikert, and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Dale (Raimilene) Stein and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Welton Stein and Russell Stein, and one great-grandson, Nathan Stein.

The family will greet guests on Thursday, December 9, 2021, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Elmer’s life will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, at 10:30 AM, in the funeral home’s chapel with Pastor Harley Wheeler and Dale Fincher officiating. Burial will follow in the Stone Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Elmer’s name may be directed to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.