Evelyn “Tootie” Meese

Evelyn “Tootie” Meese, 99, a lifelong resident of Dover, passed away peacefully in Park Village Nursing Home February 25, 2017 following a period of declining health.
Born in Dover on November 23, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Wayne McClelland and Cora (Griffith) Plotts.
Tootie graduated from Dover High School in 1935 and on September 30, 1939, she married her late husband, Harry Charles Meese, in the family home. Together they co-owned and served the families of the Dover community at the Meese-Bierie Funeral Home in Dover. Tootie also worked at the City of Dover and the May Co. in Cleveland.
Her commitment to the community spanned her entire lifetime serving as a Girl Scout Leader in the 1950s; a Red Cross volunteer driver; she was a co-founder of the Tuscarawas County Genealogical Society; a Past Regent Fort Laurens D.A.R.; and a member of the Eastern Star, Dover Chapter.
Tootie was an avid golfer and Bridge player. She also had a knack for knitting, sewing, and crocheting.
She will be deeply missed by her family including her daughters, Judith (Lee) Bierie of Powell and Peggy (William) Bryan of Dover; grandchildren, Jeff Bryan of Dover, Daniel Bryan of Columbus, Ann Bryan Staley of Dover, LeeAnn Bierie Helvenston and Elizabeth Bierie, both of Columbus, and Charles Bierie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents and husband, Harry who died December 22, 1984; Tootie was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Cora Sue Meese; and her sisters, Mildred Plotts Gow and Dorothy Plotts Edwards.
Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. A service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Dover Burial Park.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Autism Society, 7991 Lewis Pike Delaware, OH 43035, the Tuscarawas County Humane Society,1432 Tall Timber Rd NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or the Jennifer Hunt Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts, 461 Robinson Drive SE, New Philadelphia.