M. Eileen Hephinger

M. Eileen Hephinger, age 89, of Dover and formerly of New Philadelphia passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2009 in Country Club Retirement Center at Dover.Born October 23, 1919 in Germano, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Ermil and Goldie (Cox) Snyder.After graduating from New Philadelphia High School in 1938, Eileen continued her education at Beckwith Business School. Her professional career as an owner and operator of Hephinger Decorating spanned many decades.Eileen married her lifelong companion and friend, the late Fred H. Hephinger on November 21, 1940. Together, they enjoyed many years working side by side at Hephinger Decorating. He passed away on January 18, 1997.Eileen’s love for her church, music, community and family were of utmost importance throughout her lifetime. She was a devoted and active member of the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia where she sang in the choir for more than 60 years. The importance and love for music was instilled in her as a young child and remained in her all the days of her life. Eileen was also an active member of the New Philadelphia Chapter 222 Order of the Eastern Star and the New Philadelphia Lady Elks.She’ll be remembered first and foremost as a loving and supportive wife and mother. She was always one to participate in band events for her children and never one to miss her grandchildren’s activities. Most significantly, she loved and cared for everyone. Her children’s friends even referred to her as “mom”.Survivors include her daughter, Debbie (Kevin) Fox, her son, Steven Hephinger, and her nephew, Gil (Tricia) Snyder, all of New Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Christopher (Nikki) Rufenacht of Strasburg, Danielle (Robbie) Goedel of Mineral City, and Sara (Zach) Hudas of Dover; her great-grandchildren, Bryce and Brynn Goedel and Samuel and Cody Rufenacht; and her great-niece and great-nephew, Kelsey and Kyle Snyder. Eileen has now been reunited with her family that preceded her in death including her parents, her husband, her daughter, Joan Hephinger and her brother, Charles O. Snyder.Visitation will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with an Order of the Eastern Star service commencing at 10:45 a.m. A funeral service celebrating Eileen’s life will begin at 11 a.m. with Pastors Jeff Gerber and Jill Lovett officiating. Burial will follow the service in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions in Eileen’s name may be directed to The First United Church of Christ, PO Box 422, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.