George E. Fowler Sr.

George E. Fowler, Sr, 74, of New Philadelphia, went to meet his Lord on Monday, June 20, 2011 in Union Hospital at Dover while surrounded by his loving family and dear friends.A son of the late John and Flora Belle (Grove) Fowler, George was born January 13, 1937 at Dennison, Ohio.George graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1955 and he was a retired Iron Worker of Local #549 & & #550 of Canton. Along with his wife Virginia, George was the owner and operator of the former Ridge Avenue Gun Shop.He attended Tabor Ridge Community Church and during the 1980’s and 1990’s, George pastored at various churches throughout Tuscarawas County.George was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening and owned and operated a farm during his younger years. One of his interests in life was the C.B. Radio with his handle being “Big Daddy”He is survived by his loving wife. Virginia (Patrick) Fowler whom he married on February 8, 1958; three children, Teresa (Peter) Lang of Anchorage, Alaska, George E. (Christina) Fowler Jr. of New Philadelphia and Ava (Matthew) Dunn of Mineral City; seven grandchildren, John E. Fowler III and Melissa Fowler both of South Carolina, Jeremiah (Kayla) Brooks of Dover, Angie and Chloe Brooks both of Kent, Ohio and Patrick and Alexandra Dunn both of Mineral City; five great grandchildren; a sister, Betty Gasser of New Philadelphia and numerous nieces and nephews.George was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John E. Fowler II; two sisters, Thelma Zontini and Alma McCoy and an infant brother, Robert James Fowler.The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating George’s life will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. John Dunn officiating. Burial will follow in New Cumberland Cemetery. A reception will follow the committal service in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in George’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.