Harvey B Wilhelm

Harvey B. Wilhelm, age 58, a loving husband, father and friend of the New Philadelphia community, died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, July 5, 2005.Born at Canton March 7, 1947, Harvey was a son of Eva Hamel Wilhelm of Dover and the late Harvey B. Wilhelm Sr. He graduated from Lincoln High School at Canton before relocating to the Tuscarawas Valley. Well-known for his service to the community, Harvey quietly involved himself in the successful operation of Tuscora Park. After volunteering to assist in the assembly of the train, Harvey became a Park fixture, whereupon he managed the summer youth staff, maintained all of the mechanical rides, and helped to make the park the perfect place to be on any given day in the summer.Harvey was a familiar face on the sidelines at New Philadelphia Quaker Athletic activities. From helping park cars and move equipment at Quaker Stadium on Friday nights during the football season, to assisting with crowd control at basketball games in the Quaker Gymnasium, his spirit as a fan, and volunteer for New Philadelphia Athletics is irreplaceable. His coworkers at the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District will remember him as a perfectionist. Even in the moments before his death Tuesday morning, he was perfecting the appearance of the District office in New Philadelphia as he had faithfully done for many years. His career with the M.W.C.D. spanned thirty-seven and a half years, and despite retiring from the district in 2004, he remained a member of their maintenance team on a part-time basis. Mr. Wilhelm even maintained his eye for perfection at home where his gardens and lawn are kept in immaculate condition. Harvey spent the winter in his woodshed at home getting ready for spring and summer months by making lawn decorations, repairing his garden equipment, and readying his planting beds. Harvey’s passing will be especially felt by his family, who will remember his gregarious laugh, and his affection for them. His family includes a wife of four years, the former Lois Totten, of the home, a son; Chris (Jenny) Wilhelm of New Philadelphia, three daughters; Joyce (Wilbur) Ritchie of Huntington, Texas, Cindy (Ken) Miller of Strasburg, and Debbie Massie of Uhrichsville.His family also includes twelve grandchildren; Troy and Alex Arbogast, Dominque, Hope, Victoria and April Ritchie, Jamie and Michelle Miller, Danyiel Vance, Becky Troyer, Shannon and Brittany Massie, four great-grandchildren, two brothers, Eugene (Kelly) Wilhelm of Canton, and Ronald (Tana) Wilhelm of Indianapolis, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, Harvey is preceded in death by his first wife, the former Jo Anne Young in 1995, and a brother, William Wilhelm. Harvey attended the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at Port Washington, was a member of the New Philadelphia Athletic Booster Club, and a past member of Sacred Heart Church. Friends are invited to call Thursday afternoon from 2 Â? 4 and 6-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Buckley will lead a funeral celebrating Mr. Wilhelm’s life Friday afternoon at 2 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. Those unable to attend are invited to send condolences to the family, sign an online guest registry, and view a memorial to Mr. Wilhelm’s life by visiting the funeral home’s website.