Joseph F. Sullivan

Joseph Francis Sullivan, Jr. age 87, of New Philadelphia died peacefully in Schoenbrunn Health Care Center on Sunday, April 7, 2013 with his family by his side.

A son of the late Joseph F. Sullivan, Sr. and Helen (Moore) Sullivan, Joe, as he was known by family and friends, was born on August 1, 1925 in his family’s New Philadelphia home.

He was a 1943 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and entered into the United States Navy during World War II where he served as a photographer on the Admiral’s staff.

Joe returned home following his service to his country and began a 33 year career as a Swing Transmission Assemblyman with the former Warner & Swasey at New Philadelphia which eventually became the Gradall Company.

Since the early 1990’s Joe has been an active member of the Uhrichsville First Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and helped church activities succeed in any way he could. Upon his retirement, Joe enjoyed traveling, having been aboard an honor flight to Washington, DC with his son. He also enjoyed meticulously caring for his lawn and surrounding gardens.

He will be missed by his wife of nearly 63 years, the former Shirley Gribble, whom he married on June 18, 1950; a son, Fred (Trudy) Sullivan of New Philadelphia; a daughter, Susan (Todd) Tinker of Dallas, Georgia; a brother, Jerry Sullivan a sister-in-law, Carol Sullivan both of Indiana and a brother-in-law, Jim Gribble of Coshocton.

Four grandchildren, Lori (Rob) Henning of New Philadelphia, Ellie (Glenn) Wentz of Greer, South Carolina, Ashley Tinker of Acworth, Georgia and Catie Tinker of Dallas, Georgia; four great-grandchildren, Nick and Vinnie Henning, and Ethan and Juliana Wentz complete the family.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a son, James E. Sullivan, and a brother, Richard Sullivan.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Scott Snyder will lead a service celebrating Joe’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to share in a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or the Uhrichsville First Christian Church, PO Box 389, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.