John R. Limbacher

John R. Limbacher, age 60, of Baltic, died Monday, November 11, 2013 in Union Hospital at Dover following a sudden illness.

A son of the late Carl and Doris (Powell) Limbacher, John was born in Union Hospital on September 13, 1953.

John was a graduate of Garaway High School and attended college at Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

An avid outdoorsman, John found great joy in hunting and trapping, where he often sold many of the fur pelts he obtained. He also loved to fish and greatly enjoyed any opportunity to take a fishing trip and was most recently looking forward to spending the much of the winter months in South Carolina. Additionally, he was a talented gardener; and for the past number of years entered his vegetables in the Tuscarawas County Fair where he had earned a number of awards annually. He also traveled to numerous county fairs throughout the state attending sulky horse races.

From the age of 15, John’s primary love was being a heavy equipment operator. For many years he worked in the strip mining and reclamation industry having been employed for various firms throughout Holmes, Tuscarawas and Harrison counties. Most recently, he has been employed by Beaver Excavating of Canton where he had just completed one of the largest reservoirs ever constructed near Columbus, Ohio.

He was a longtime member of the Operating Engineers Union at Akron and the National Rifle Association. Moreover, John had an outgoing personality, was always willing to help anyone in need and could fix just about anything with the proper resources and the use of his computer.

He is survived by a daughter, Jonalee L. (Mike) Fernatt; two grandchildren, Braden and Adeline Fernatt all of New Philadelphia; a sister, Shelby Fantin of Baltic; a brother, James (Peggy) Limbacher of Midland, Texas; friends, Noreen Lahmers, Betty and Bill Bidinger all of Dover and numerous long-time friends in the mining industry.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, November 14, 2013 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Rev. Hugh B. Berry will lead a service celebrating John’s life at 7:30 PM. Cremation will follow with private burial to take place at a later date.

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