George Edward Meese

George Edward Meese, Sr. , age 78, of New Philadelphia, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, went to be with the Lord, while surrounded by his family, early Friday morning, May 20, 2011, following a courageous battle with lung disease.Born at Dover, Ohio on September 11, 1932, George was a son of the late Floyd and Martha Miller Meese. He attended Dover High School where he played football and basketball.For a number of years, George worked as a machinist for the former Shenango Company at Dover. Upon his retirement, he worked at Tuscora Park as a member of the maintenance team. George had an outgoing personality and encountered many individuals throughout his lifetime. These individuals became friends and he earned their respect through his caring and selfless nature. He enjoyed being a member of First Christian Church at New Philadelphia, taking fishing trips and vacationing at Disney World, at Orlando, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For a number of years, George was a familiar face in numerous area bands where he enjoyed sharing his talents of music with others as a rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist.The events George looked forward to most in life were those that involved his family. He enjoyed attending the many school and sporting activities of his grandchildren and spending time with his beloved dog, Babe. George also found great joy in sharing time with his daughter Riley as they embarked on new adventures and took countless trips together on his electric scooter.A compassionate man is now with the Lord but his memory and legacy will live on through his beloved wife, the former Susan M. Kelley, whom he married on June 30, 1984; his children, Deborah (Kirby) Smith of Baltic, George E. (Irina) Meese, Jr. of New Philadelphia, David Meese of Massillon, Mark (Holly) Meese of Ludington, Michigan, Kris (George) Jones of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Angela (Will) Wines of Morristown, Ohio and Riley Meese of the home; a sister, Iva Rausch of Dover; a mother-in-law, Cleo Kelley of Massillon; a sister-in-law, Sandy Smith of New Philadelphia; and a brother-in-law, Max Burrell of Dover.Completing the family are twelve grandchildren, Heather Smith, Mandy Meese, Anton Bazarov, April Manley, David Meese, Timothy, Alex, and Dillon Meese, Kody Bennington, Erik and Brysen Jones, and Emily Wines, three great-grandchildren; special friends, Kevin and Cindy Smith of New Philadelphia, numerous nieces and nephews, and many special neighbors.In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Burrell; a sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Dick Williams; a brother, Dale Meese; a brother-in-law, Richard Rausch; a father-in-law, Charles Kelley; and a step-father-in-law, Alvie Green.The family will receive friends on Monday, May, 23, 2011, from 5:00 â?? 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia and again one hour prior to services on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, from 10:00 â?? 11:00 AM in the First Christian Church at New Philadelphia. Pastors Jim Borton and David Carrick will lead a service celebrating George’s life in the church at 11 AM. Following the service the family wishes to invite guests to join them in the church social hall where a meal and fellowship will be shared.In keeping with George’s wishes, cremation will be conducted following services with burial being planned for a later date.The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, and to the doctors and staff of Union Hospital, whom George often referred to as his “Angels of Mercy”, for going above and beyond through their display of exemplary care and compassion during his illness.