Josephine E. Huff

Josephine E. Huff, age 83, of New Philadelphia passed away peacefully early Saturday, January 30, 2021 in Park Village Southside at New Philadelphia.

Born August 6, 1937 in York Township, she was the daughter of the late Rolland and Rose (Mathias) Beitzel and a 1955 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. Following High School, Josephine worked as a medical secretary at the former Boulevard Medical Building at Dover and also as a legal secretary for the Woodard and Bohse Law Office at Dover before realizing that it was her heart’s desire to be a full-time mother and homemaker. Josephine had also worked as an assistant secretary for the Tuscarawas County Fair Board and was also known for baking pies but mostly for her wonderful peanut butter cream pie.

A lifetime member of Jerusalem Church, Josephine was baptized as an infant, a member of the church choir since age 15 and confirmed at 16. She attended the Women’s Circle meetings and served on the Spiritual Life Committee for over 40 years. She served as chairman of the church’s Intentional Caring Units (ICU) ministry since it’s inception in 1982 and as a team member visiting the sick and shut-ins. She taught children’s, youth and adult Sunday School classes for over 45 years. Josephine also spent over four years writing a commentary on the Book of Revelation and teaching about it to the Faith Builder’s Sunday School Class and the Church’s Women’s Daytime Bible Study Group.

On August 28, 1955, in Jerusalem Church, Josephine was united in marriage to Robert D. Huff and as a couple reared three children. Together they shared their love of being with family by attending sporting events and activities of their grandchildren throughout Ohio and Alabama; faithfully following them through their high school and college years. They also enjoyed spending their winters in Daytona Beach, Florida before Robert’s passing in 2013.

Josephine is survived by her three children, Vicki (John) Emig of Kent, Sue (Chuck) Cox of New Philadelphia and Randy (Shannon) Huff of Hamilton, Alabama; her grandchildren, Tiffani (Emilia) Emig of Pittsburgh, Aaron (Adriane) Emig of Chagrin Falls, Cayla (DJ) Nichols of Dover, Cody (Meghan) Cox of Upper Arlington, Joshua (Whitney) Huff of Huntsville, Alabama, Jacob (Bianca) Huff and Elizabeth Huff, both of Hamilton, Alabama; six great grandchildren, August, Laurel, Alice, Cameron, Olivia and Samuel; two sisters, Marilyn Arbogast and Linda (Curt) Garber and a brother Lynn Beitzel.

A private family service will be held for Josephine in Jerusalem Church at New Philadelphia with Rev. Dr. Tom Hendershot officiating and personal remembrances by Rev. Dr. Terry Downin. Burial will follow in Jerusalem Church Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial contributions in Josephine’s memory be directed to Jerusalem Church 1417 Stone Creek Road, SW New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663; The Bob Huff Memorial Aquatic Fund, c/o Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe Street, Dover, Ohio 44622, or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663