Harold L. Blind

Harold L. Blind, 86, of New Philadelphia went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 30, 2016 while surrounded by his family at Community Hospice House following an eight month courageous battle with an illness.

Harold was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio on December 15, 1929 to the late Harvey Leroy and Ethel Marie (Harris) Blind.  He was lead to the Lord by his mother when he was nine years old.

He graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1947 and received a Communications degree from DeVry University.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952 as a sonarman on destroyers and destroyer escorts.  He worked at the Timken Company in New Philadelphia for 37 years and was also employed part time by TV Specialties for several years.  Upon retirement he worked part time at Remax Realty and was an instructor at the YMCA.

On December 9, 1951, Harold married Roberta Mae Roberts, celebrating 64 years of marriage in 2015.  They raised 2 children, Richard (Bobbi Jo) Blind of New Philadelphia and Susan Marie (Jim) Gardina of Pennsylvania.  They have 9 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.  Harold is survived by a brother Willard of Lancaster, OH and preceded in death by sister his Marjorie, a brother Howard, and a grandson Ryan.

Harold enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, reading, hiking the Smoky Mountains, and working in the yard.  His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren and attending their activities.  He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia for 77 years where he attended the JOY class, the YMCA, and the Tuscarawas County Road Runners Club.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be led by Pastor Matthew Braucher on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where memories of Harold can be shared by family, friends, and “pals”.  A luncheon will follow the service in the Geib Family Center.  Inurnment with military honors will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

The family would like to thank the caretakers at Union Hospital and Community Hospice House for their excellent work and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 878 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to the Ryan Gardina Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o PA College of Health Sciences, Office of Development, 850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601.