Rhoda Sickinger

Rhoda Jane Sickinger, 87, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her home on September 5, 2015.
Born November 22, 1927 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late James Sherman and Minnie (Myers) Dodson.
Rhoda was a graduate of Altoona High School and Altoona Business College. She worked for Morgan Martin and Penn State Ordinance Research Lab.
On June 7, 1952, she married her lifelong companion and friend, Arthur William Sickinger, with whom she celebrated 63 years of marriage with this past June. Together, they enjoyed preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey dinners, which she continued until she was 80. They also worshipped at the First Presbyterian Church in New Philadelphia, where she was a Deacon and member of the Circle. Rhoda and Art also loved teaching and playing cards with their grandchildren.
Rhoda was a fierce competitor in cards and she loved the game of Pinnocole. She was a tremendous cook and shared her gift of cooking in Bethel, Alaska where she prepared meals for the mission trip members.
Most importantly, the Lord gave her kindness and contentment which she practiced until He took her home.
She blessed the lives of her family and will be deeply missed by her husband, Art of the home; her children, Ann (Tom) West of Dundee, Alan (Diane) Sickinger and Mark (Barbara) Sickinger, both of New Philadelphia, and Eric Sickinger of Dover; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and one expected in January; and her sister, Shirley (Clair) Knisley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings including Miles, Ernie, Jim, Clayton, Stanley, Rhelda (James) McCoullough and Gladys (Don) Wiesinger.
Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. with a service beginning at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be directed to either Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Ave., New Philadelphia.