Essie Faye Hemmeger

ESSIE FAYE HEMMEGER, 83, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday evening, August 14, 2003 at Aultman Hospital in Canton following a week-long illness. Essie was born in Midvale on December 12, 1919 to the late Lawrence and Bertha A. Newton Emhoff. She graduated in 1938 from Midvale High School and maintained several close friendships with classmates all through her life. As a young lady, Essie worked at the “Dutch Oven” restaurant. She later managed Baker’s Jewelry on North Broadway in New Philadelphia.On July 13, 1940, Essie married Robert W. Hemmeger. Essie and Bob owned and operated “Hemmeger Harley-Davidson” near 2nd St., NE and East High Avenue from 1959 to 1977. In April, 1977, Essie started working at the Tuscarawas County courthouse as a general Deputy Clerk of Courts and was promoted to Lead Deputy Clerk for the Fifth District Court of Appeals Division of the Clerk of Courts’ office by Clerk of Courts Rockne Clarke. Essie retired as a Deputy Clerk of Courts on September 29, 1985. Upon her retirement, Essie was honored at a retirement banquet at Espenschied’s Restaurant in Dover which was attended by the judges of the Common Pleas court and the Fifth District court of Appeals and their staff, the Clerk of Courts and staff and many other elected county officials, attorneys and their staff.After retirement, Essie returned to work part-time as a bailiff for the late Harlan R. Spies, former Judge of the Common Pleas Court in January, 1986. She subsequently returned to work part-time in the Clerk of Courts’ office to cover staff vacations and shortages. Essie continued to work part-time for the Clerk of Courts’ office until March 27, 1989.Essie was a life-long member of the Midvale United Methodist Church and belonged to the church’s Adult Bible Class. She was also an involved member of Dover’s former Tuscarawas Chapter No. 164, Order of the Eastern Star, having served as Worthy Matron and Secretary. She was also a member of New Philadelphia Chapter No. 222, Order of the Eastern Star and belonged to the Star’s past matrons’ and past patrons’ “Triangle Club”. Additionally, Essie was a member of the “Midvale Club.”In addition to her parents, Essie was preceded in death by her husband Bob on January 18, 2003; two sisters, Edith Emhoff Lynn and infant sister, Gertrude Marie Emhoff and two brothers, Howard and Roy Emhoff.She is survived by two nieces, Judie Lynn (Mike) Ashbaugh of West Jefferson, NC and Jill Lynn (Charles) Matts of Florence, KY; great-niece, Lynn (Robert) Ashbaugh-Young of Raleigh, NC; great nephew, Robert Michael Ashbaugh of Germantown, NY; and three great-great nephews.Visitation will be at the Midvale United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 17, 2003 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with the celebration of Essie’s life to follow at 4:00 PM. Essie’s cousin, Rev. Chauncey Eggan and the church’s pastor, Rev. David Powell, will officiate. Immediately following the celebration a reception will be shared in the church’s fellowship hall.The cemetery committal service with members of New Philadelphia Chapter No. 222, Order of the Eastern Star will be Monday, August 18, 2003 at 10:30 at Evergreen Burial Park.Contributions honoring Essie’s life may be made to the Midvale United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 247, Midvale, OH 44653.