Howard J. Bair

Howard J. Bair, 94, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia, died Sunday, March 31, 2013 in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia following a period of declining health.

A son of the late Martin and Catherine (Gintz) Bair, Howard was born September 10, 1918 at New Philadelphia.

Howard graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1936 and was a veteran of the United States Navy.

He was retired from Joy Manufacturing at New Philadelphia where he worked for more than 44 years. Howard was a member of the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia and was a member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge 510. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and creating stained glass.

Surviving is his wife, Esther (Harrold) Bair whom he married on October 14, 1939 at Carrollton, Ohio; two children, John (Bobbie) Bair of Bellevue, Nebraska and Deborah (Steve) Scherer of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandsons, Jason and Brandon Bair of Bellevue, Nebraska and Kurt Scherer of Cincinnati, Ohio; a brother, Delbert (Dorothy) Bair of Dover and a special niece and special nephew, Hallie Umpleby of Canton, Ohio and Tom (Rhonda) Simon of Ocala, Florida.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Clara English and a brother, Dale Bair.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Howard’s life will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Jeffrey Gerber officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service a reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.

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

Contributions may be made in Howard’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.