Robert E. Boone

Robert E. “Gene” Boone, age 61, of Stone Creek cruised on to his final journey early Wednesday, December 12, 2012, from the James Cancer Center at Columbus following an eight month battle with leukemia.

A son of the late Robert and Laura (Thompson) Boone, Gene, as he was known to family and friends, was born at New Philadelphia on November 12, 1951.

He was a 1969 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and for the past 44 years has worked for the Miller family at Miller Studios, where he was a master mold maker, and at Beech Engineering where he served as a purchase agent.

Spending time with his family and friends were among Gene’s top priorities in life and loved traveling with them on vacations throughout the United States. Additionally, Gene loved attending auctions and adding to his various collections that included record albums, comic books, and Pepsi memorabilia.

Gene was an avid Harley Davidson fan and in his younger years, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and as of late, enjoyed the time he found to work on his bike. He was also a lover of animals of all kinds and enjoyed caring for each of them.

For a number of years, he served as a Reserve Deputy Sherriff for Tuscarawas County, was a member of the Tuscarawas County Coin Club, served as a mentor for T-4-C, as well as serving as an advisor of the Stone Creek Peas and Carrots 4-H Club for the past 14 years.

He is survived by the love of his life, the former Cheri Muhs whom he married on February 1, 1997; their children, Levi, Nathan, Sara, and Renee as well as an expected grandson, due in February.

A sister, Bernice (Warren) VanderWal of North Dakota, a brother Phillip Boone of Bolivar, Ohio; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Chuck and Shirley Muhs, who have shown unlimited love and support, and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Max Canfield will lead a celebration of Gene’s life on Saturday at 1:30 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Following, all are invited to share in a time of food and fellowship in the Social Hall of Grace Community Church at Stone Creek.

Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences or light a candle in Gene’s memory by visiting his permanent memorial located on the funeral home’s website.

The family requests memorial contributions in Gene’s name may be directed to the Tuscarawas County 4-H Program, 389 16th Street SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663. Another of Gene’s passions was the preservation of wild wolves and the American Bald Eagle, one way to protect these endangered animals is through a contribution to the Natural Resources Division Council, 40 W20th Street, New York, New York, 10011.