Lorin Houze

Lorin H. Houze, Jr., age 80, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully early Monday evening, March 8, 2010, in Union Hospital at Dover. Born at Magnolia, Ohio, October 10, 1929, he was a son of the late Lorin Herbert and Minnie Pearl (Scott) Houze, Sr. Lorin attended school at Magnolia High School before going to work on the family farm. He joined the United States Air Force, serving in the European Theater during World War II participating in the Berlin Air Lift. Upon his return home, he went to work for the former E.W. Bliss Manufacturing Company before beginning a career with the New Philadelphia Water Department that he concluded with his retirement decades later in July, 1992. Ever busy, Lorin also owned and operated the former J.R. Parking Lot Striping Company, for many years before selling the company in 1993. Lorin will also be remembered by his colleagues at the Marlowe’s NCS, where he spent ten years as a driver for the company until joining Mediwise Pharmacy in prescription delivery until 2006. Despite maintaining a busy work life, Lorin always found time to support his family in their youth sporting activities. He even spent seventeen seasons as an official for the American Softball Association, and umpired the Dover Volleyball league for a number of seasons. He was a member of the Dover First Christian Church for the past fifteen years, and was previously a longtime member of First Christian Church at New Philadelphia. Lorin leaves behind a family that includes his wife, the former Corinna J. Sherrard, with whom he would have celebrated their fifty-fourth wedding anniversary next Tuesday, March 16. A son, Eric and wife Cathy Houze of Strasburg, and a daughter Lori Watson and her fianc�e John Loibl of New Philadelphia also survive. Three grandchildren; Ashley and Corey Watson and Ryan Ott, as well as three brothers; Karl Houze of Mineral City, Lester (wife, Doris) Houze of Bolivar and Lewis “Fred” (wife, Mary) Houze of Canton, and three sisters; Thelma Geiser Sr. of Dellroy, Judy (husband, Donald) Miller of Mentor, and Patricia McBrayer of Fort, Payne, Alabama, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a special great-niece, Karla (husband, Jason) Kuhn of North Canton, Ohio, completes the family. In addition to his parents, Lorin is preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Burkhart.The family will receive friends Friday, March 12, from 4PM � 7PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Chris Mulpas and Don Campbell will lead Lorin’s funeral service Saturday morning at 10:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, with military honors will follow in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens. Following the committal service, a reception will be given in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home at New Philadelphia. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Philadelphia Fire Department, 108 Second Street SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to the Strasburg Volunteer Fire Department, 358 5th St. SW, Strasburg, OH 44680.