Gerald Raymond Spring

Gerald Raymond Spring, aged 97, a life-long resident of New Philadelphia, Ohio peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Park Village Care Center in Dover. Born November 14, 1916, he was the son of the late Howard R. and Zada C. Spring.

He attended several one-room schools and was a 1935 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. On June 1, 1941 Gerald married Ruth Ellen Haver, daughter of the late Clarence and Leda Haver of Newcomerstown, Ohio. During their 68 years together, they enjoyed traveling the United States and Canada creating lasting memories with their family.

Gerald was a life-long member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Oldtown Valley. He was a long-time member of the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau and a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association. Throughout his life he worked at many types of jobs including Republic Steel during the war years. But most notably, he worked over 30 years at the former US Ceramic Tile plant in East Sparta, 19 of those years as a supervisor, retiring in 1976. He also worked for the US Postal Service in New Philadelphia as a rural mail carrier, retiring in 1981. Gerald was a lifetime farmer and loved being outdoors farming, gardening and maintaining his properties which he did until his passing. He liked reading and loved watching his Purple Martins.

He is survived by his children Priscilla Williams of Grove City, Ohio, Gerald A. “Jerry” (Betsy) of Dover and Hallie S. (Bill) Hawthorne of New Philadelphia. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren Amy (Ernie) Hernandez of Grove City, Valerie (Michael) Hoffman of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Jeramy Spring (companion Kimberly Koszewski and her son Conner Millsaps) of Lakewood, Ohio, Heather (Stuart) Gibbs of Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Shelly (Eric) Prysi of New Philadelphia and his great-grandchildren, Angel Hernandez of Grove City, “Brody” and Avelyn Hoffman of Cuyahoga Falls and a brother, Howard A. (Bonnie) Spring of Columbus, Ohio and many nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years on August 3, 2009, a sister Veda Lahmers and son-in-law Charles N Williams.

Visitation will be held at the Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia on Wednesday, February 5th from 5 to 8 p.m. and on February 6th at 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Hugh Berry leading the service celebrating Gerald’s life. Burial will follow the service at East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia.

Following the committal service, friends and family are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the Funeral home where the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church family will provide a meal.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 3640 Oldtown Valley Rd SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Gerald by visiting the funeral home website at www.GeibCares.com.