Elmer O. Renicker

Elmer O. “Bud” Renicker, 80, of New Philadelphia, passed away on November 7, 2006 in Hennis Care Center at Dover.A son of the late Elmer and Myrtle (Graham) Renicker, Bud was born October 2, 1926 in Warren Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.In 1944, he enlisted with the United States Army and served during World War II in the South Pacific and the Philippine Islands with the 32nd Division and with the 24th Division in Japan. Bud was then honorably discharged as Corporal in 1946.Bud began his career with the New Philadelphia Fire Department in 1948 when he served as a volunteer and night fireman and in 1950 he was appointed to the active department. Eleven years later, he was promoted to the position of Captain and ultimately in 1972, he became Chief of the New Philadelphia Fire Department until his retirement in 1978.Bud, who was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia, married the former Vida P. (Durbin) Christy on December 24, 1946 and together they enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months together in Florida.He is survived by his children; Phyllis (Wayne) Pollock of New Philadelphia, David Christy of Brooksville, Florida, and twin son’s, Garry Renicker and Larry (Kari) Renicker, both of Klamath Falls, Oregon; grandchildren, John (Cindy) Pollock of Uniontown, Ohio, Greg (Lori) Pollock of Aurora, Ohio, Scott (Kathleen) Pollock of Stafford, Virginia, Debra (Brian) Price of Moundsville, West Virginia, Julie (Paul) Whelan of Brooksville, Ohio, Jill Christy of Tampa, Florida, Kelly (Dave) Conklin of San Jose, California and Evin Ferns of Klamath Falls, Oregon; 15 great grandchildren and two sisters, Mildred Peacock of Orrville, Ohio and Dorothy (Alvin) Rusher of Massillon, Ohio.Bud was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vida; one brother, Robert Renicker and two sisters, Helen McCartney and Pauline Skwara.Family and friends may call in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, November 9, 2006 from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral service. At 8 p.m. on Thursday, a Firefighter’s Last Call ceremony in honor of Bud will be held in the funeral home. A funeral service celebrating Bud’s life will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Brian Price officiating. Burial will follow in Sherrodsville Memorial Gardens. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the fellowship hall in the Otterbein United Methodist church at New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions may be made in Bud’s memory to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Avenue NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.