Julia Rebecca Dugan

Julia Rebecca Dugan, age 98, of the Oldtown Valley, New Philadelphia died peacefully following a period of declining health on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Union Hospital at DoverA daughter of the late Charles H. and Maggie Mathias Wharton, Julia was born at Uhrichsville, Ohio on December 22, 1912. She attended the former Goshen School and married the love of her life, George Gilbert Dugan, on March 22, 1928, in the Church of Christ Church at New Philadelphia where she has been a lifelong member. Julia and George had four children and celebrated 51 years of marriage prior to his passing on August 30, 1979.For a handful of years, Julia worked outside the home to help support her family and held positions with the former Puritan Laundry and Alex’s Restaurant at New Philadelphia. She also provided in-home care for elderly friends for a number of years as well.Julia’s true passion was doing work for the Lord which was reflected in her activities as a volunteer at the Church of Christ Benevolence Program and in caring for her family. Never able to sit for long she was often found tending to her vegetable garden and harvesting its crops which she in turn preserved and canned for the winter months. Never did anyone leave hungry if they stopped to visit or share in one of her famous Sunday afternoon family meals; she always ensured everyone was well nourished. She also enjoyed baking and sharing homemade pies with her family and friends as well as sharing her green thumb with her flower gardens and house plants. Julia leaves behind five generations of family members which include her son, Jerry (wife, Mary) Dugan and daughter, Dorothy Eichel all of New Philadelphia; 14 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to her parents and husband, Julia was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray and Roy Wharton; a sister, Ethel Vandine; an infant son, Charles Dugan; a daughter, Doris Dugan; one grandchild, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.The family will receive friends on Thursday (TODAY), September 15, 2011, from 5:00 â?? 8:00 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia and again one hour prior to services on Friday, September 16, 2011, from 9:30 â?? 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home’s chapel where Tim Hatfield will lead a funeral service celebrating Julia’s life at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services a memorial reception will be held in the social hall of the Church of Christ Church at New Philadelphia.Those wishing to do so may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website. The family requests memorial contributions on Julia’s name be directed to the Church of Christ Church, 749 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622