Esther Aline Wayts

Esther Aline Wayts, age 87, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Monday, January 26, 2015 in Hennis Care Centre at Dover, following a period of declining health.

One of 11 children born to the late Orville and Edith (Martin) Coventry, Esther was born at Dennison on April 28, 1927.

She attended school at Uhrichsville and for a number of years, worked for the Uhrichsville Ice Company, where she was known to have made the best milkshakes. During World War II, she supported the effort on the home front as a volunteer with the Dennison Depot Canteen.

On August 15, 1946, Esther married Eugene Wayts. Together, the couple raised a son and celebrated 38 years of marriage prior to his passing on January 12, 1985.

Esther was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia and also enjoyed memberships with the Keeping in Touch Club of Roswell and the Tuscarawas County Senior Center. Esther also enjoyed attending Coventry family reunions at Tuscora Park and was well known for her no-bake cookies. In her free time, Esther loved working word find puzzles, playing bingo, and watching the Cleveland Indians on television.

She will be missed by her loving son, Kenneth Wayts of New Philadelphia; three brothers, James (Mary) Coventry, Dennis (Phyllis) Coventry all of Uhrichsville, and Dean (Ruthann) Coventry of Dover; a sister, Joann Cummings of Dennison and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Esther was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Lois Wayts, sisters, Ruth Shull and Betty Tatman and brothers, Donald, Paul, Walter and Richard Coventry.

The family will greet guests on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Reverend Jim Humphrey will lead a service on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Following the services, all are invited to share in a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Esther’s name may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.