Ronald Deibel

Ronald Howard Deibel, age 75, of Dover, encountered his “Best Day Yet” and ultimate healing on Sunday, December 21, 2014, while in the care of Community Hospice House, following a three month illness.

Born in Union Hospital at Dover on July 23, 1939, Ron was a son of the late Kenneth and Kathryn (Rippel) Deibel.

He was a graduate of the former Stone Creek High School, where he was a basketball standout, scoring a longstanding Tuscarawas County record of 1905 points during his high school career. Following graduation, he attended Heidelberg College, where he also played basketball.

Professionally, Ron was employed by Warner & Swasey for 24 years, Joy Manufacturing for 20 years and following his retirement in 2003, began working for his son-in-law, helping with various odd jobs at the Pissocra-Mathias Realty for 10 years.

Ron’s hobbies included, following Cleveland Sports, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the New Philadelphia Quakers. He enjoyed spending time being outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening, taking trips with his family to Rice Lake, Canada and traveling to Kentucky Lakes, Tennessee with friends. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, as they made their way through the New England States, traveling through Europe, and making trips to Branson, Missouri.

A fan of Southern Gospel and Country music, Ron was also an active vocalist having sung in the church choir of Grace Community Church since he was a teen. As a Lifelong member of the congregation, he has served the church as a deacon, an elder, a member and Past President of the Church Consistory.

Ron also enjoyed eating out with family and friends but above all, loved his grandchildren and attending their various activities.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, the former Kathryn Pringle, whom he married on June 16, 1972; his children, Tammy (Jeff) Mathias, Ronnie Deibel all of New Philadelphia, Keddi (Bob) Spittle, Amy (Rick) Ellwood and Jay Reidenbach all of Stone Creek; two sisters, Eileen (Al) Tanner and Donna Deibel all New Philadelphia.

Completing the family are his beloved grandchildren, Erika (Shawn) Tharp, Brook (Chris) Watson, Ashley Spittle, Erin (Joel) Crilow, Mallory (Damon) Deetz, Grace Ellwood, and Anastasia Reidenbach; his great-grandchildren, Brennan Mathias, Caysen Tharp, Liam Crilow, and Holden Deetz.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by a brother, John Deibel, and a grandson, Jacob Christian Ellwood.

In keeping with Ron’s wishes private services will take place through the care of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Burial will be in the Stone Creek Cemetery.

Those wishing to do so may direct memorial contributions in Ron’s name to Grace Community Church, PO Box 97, Stone Creek, Ohio 43840, Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia or to the National Living Organ Donor Foundation, PO Box 1125, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.