Leonard Morris

Leonard “Lenny” Gene Morris, age 74, of New Philadelphia, died Friday, June 04, 2010, in Union Hospital at Dover following a brief illness.A son of the late Thomas A. and Margaret E. (Ball) Morris, Lenny was born on August 29, 1935, at New Philadelphia.Lenny attended the former Jewett High School and returned to the area in 1953 where he worked as an industrial and residential electrician. For more than thirty years Lenny was employed by the former I.F. Ridge Tool and worked for twelve years at Marlite. Lenny also spent a number of years teaching adult education classes at Buckeye Career Center.On July 12, 1952, Lenny married the former Sara Martha Stephen and together the couple reared three children.Lenny served as an active member of the First Christian Church at New Philadelphia, The Wilderness Center at Wilmot, and the Norma Johnson Center at Dover. Additionally, he was an avid golfer, who also enjoyed painting in all mediums, carving and scrimshawing.In addition to his wife of fifty-seven years, Lenny is survived by two children, Thomas Morris of New Philadelphia and a daughter, Leonora (James) Wernecke of Lexington, Ohio; five sisters, Charolette (Lavern) Riggenbach of Rootstown, Ohio, Sylvia (Jerry) Kelly of Florida, Karen (David) McKay, Marcia Savage all of Ravenna and Mary Jo (Dave) DeRemer of Arizona and a sister-in-law, Anna Mary Hadorn of Dover, Ohio.Six grandchildren, Lucas Morris, Andrew Morris, Candace Wernecke, Meredith Wernecke, Dantan Wernecke, and Stephen Wernecke as well as numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to his parents, Lenny was preceded in death by a son, David Morris and a brother, William Morris.The family will receive friends on Monday, June 7, 2010, from 5:00 â?? 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Jim Borton will lead a memorial service celebrating Lenny’s life in the First Christian Church at New Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will immediately in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.Following services, the family would like to invite guests to join them in the church social hall where a meal and fellowship will be shared. Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.The family requests that memorial contributions in Lenny’s name be directed to the First Christian Church, PO Box 474, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.