Joseph F. Peoples

Joseph F. Peoples, age 64, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, June 6, 2009, in Oak Pointe Nursing Center at Baltic following a six month illness. Born at Huntington, West Virginia, March 25, 1945, Joe was a son of Doyle C. Peoples and the late Juanita Blankenship Peoples, formerly of Tuscarawas. A 1963 graduate of Tuscarawas-Warwick High School, Joe went on to graduate from Kent State University in 1967 having earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. His career as an educator began in Green Cove Springs, Florida in 1967 and 1968. Joe pined to be closer to his family, and returned to the Tuscarawas Valley teaching 8th grade math and Algebra I at New Philadelphia Junior High School. In 1970, he joined the faculty at Garaway Junior High School where he taught math to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders until his disability retirement in 1985. Joe was once a familiar face at the Tuscarawas County YMCA where he served as a scuba diving instructor. He’ll be remembered by his family for his sense of adventure, as he also completed sky diving on several occasions. Joe looked forward to playing cards with his family, watching movies once, and remembering every detail, and for his participation in the former Garver Brothers Flea Market. Joe was one of the early pioneers in computer science, logging thousands of hours programming computers. In addition to his father Doyle, who resides at New Dawn Retirement Center, Joe is survived by his brother, David (wife, Brenda) Peoples, and two sisters; Patricia (husband, John A.) Moore, and Bunita (husband, John) Maurer, all of Tuscarawas. He’ll be sadly missed by nine nieces and nephews, and a handful of great-nieces and great-nephews. In recent years, Joe preferred privacy, and in keeping with his wishes, there will be no public visitation or service. His family will gather for a memorial service Wednesday afternoon with the Rev. Bill Sowers officiating. Instead of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622, in gratitude for their exemplary care.