Linton R. Honaker

Dr. Linton R. Honaker, 82, of New Philadelphia, died December 19, 2006, in Union Hospital at Dover.Born September 29, 1924, in Alliance, Ohio, he was the son of George and Ina Hobson Honaker. Dr. Honaker married Betty Lou Baker of Glendive, Montana, on August 24, 1947.A graduate of Mount Union College in 1949 with a Bachelor’s of Science, Dr. Honaker went on to earn his Master’s of Arts in 1950 and his Educational Doctorate in 1961 from Western Reserve University. Additional schooling included the General Electric Fellowship at Purdue University, the NDEA fellowship in 1957 at the University of Massachusetts, and course work at Kent State University.Dr. Honaker served as the Director of Teacher Preparation at Walsh University from 1980 until 1987. Responsible for the recruitment program at Walsh, the Education Department enrollment went from 39 to approximately 240 full-time equivalent students with an increase in the quality of students. While at Walsh, Dr. Honaker served as Faculty Representative to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He also served on the Academic Affairs Committee, the Administrative Council for the University, and was the Chairman of the Walsh Education Advisory Committee.From 1964 until 1980, Dr. Honaker was Superintendent of the Tuscarawas County Schools. During his tenure as superintendent, he instituted a county wide program in vocational education which ultimately became the area career center. Dr. Honaker also started the program in special education and earned recognition as the first county school system in Ohio to have the needs of all handicapped students served, and he had the first special education resource center in Ohio. Dr. Honaker wrote and received various grants that ultimately exceeded five million dollars for Tuscarawas County. Funding for Tuscarawas Valley 6-I-77 Resource Center was also received as a result of his efforts.Dr. Honaker served on the State of Ohio Advisory Committee for Vocational Agriculture and the State Committee for Special Education. Furthermore, Dr. Honaker served on the State of Ohio’s Legislative Committee. From 1967 through 1970, he served as President of the East Central Ohio Education Association Committee which had 10, 000 members. During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Honaker reorganized the local school districts within the county from an original 11 districts to four efficient self-supporting districts. In addition, the number of high schools was reduced from nine to five.Dr. Honaker also taught mathematics at Hartville High School in Hartville, Ohio, from 1950 until 1958, and was the debate coach. While at Hartville, Dr. Honaker was senior class advisor and frequently officiated high school sporting events. Other work experiences for Dr. Honaker were service in the United States Army, employment as a United States postal carrier, and work as a farm operator. A member of First United Church of Christ, Dr. Honaker served as Deacon four years, an Elder for 14 years, and President of Consistory for five years. He was also the Moderator of the Eastern Ohio Association of United Church of Christ, 1989-1990. He was a delegate to Synod at Norfolk, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri.Dr. Honaker’s professional memberships included Phi Delta Kappa, McKinley Chapter; Ohio Education Association, Executive Committee; Ohio Supervisor Association, Executive Committee; and Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Dr. Honaker was listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest from 1970 through 1984.Present memberships include Tuscarawas County Chapter of Ohio Retired Teachers, Tuscarawas Valley Ruritan Club, Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and Boy Scouts of America. In addition, Dr. Honaker was a Hospice volunteer.Dr. Honaker received numerous awards and recognition during his life. Among these honors were Vocational Agriculture Honorary State Farmer Degree, Honorary Chapter Farmer for the Garaway Local School district, Indian Valley Local School District V.I.P. Award, the Phi Delta Kappa Leadership in Education Award, the God and Service Award and C. Bernard Myers Service Award for Boy Scouts, Ruritan of the Year Award, and the Eastern Ohio Special Educator of the Year. Dr. Honaker was also honored by the Tuscarawas County Historical Society receiving the Zeisberger-Heckewelder Achievement Medal for his outstanding contributions to the county.Dr. Honaker is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Lou. He is also survived by daughter, Emily Jean Honaker of Delaware, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Diana and Ron Priest of Alliance, Ohio; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Sandy Honaker of Baltic, Ohio, Robert and Monica Weekes Honaker of Malibu, California. Dr. Honaker is also survived by his grandchildren, Abby and Matthew Honaker both of Baltic, Ohio, Brennen and Casey Honaker both of Malibu, California, and David Priest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and great granddaughter, Rosalyn Marie of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition, he is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and George Bell of Salem, Ohio; and sister Marilyn Humphrey of Hanoverton, Ohio.In addition to his parents, Dr. Honaker was preceded in death by brother, Don E. Honaker.Visitation will be Friday, December 22, 2006, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Linn-Hert Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.Pastors Jeffrey Gerber and Jill Lovett will officiate Dr. Honaker’s service on Saturday, December 23, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.Following the committal service, a reception will be given for family and friends in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.Memorial contributions to honor Dr. Honaker’s life may be sent to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or Walsh University, 2020 East Maple Street N.W., North Canton, Ohio, 44720.