Ronald E. Van Sile

Ronald E. Van Sile, 62, of New Philadelphia, died Friday, March 30, 2012 in Union Hospital following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

The son of Edith (Wilt) Short and the late Donald Short, Ron was born on June 5, 1949 at Bath, New York.

Ron was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, both on reconnaissance missions.

He was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. In 1989, Ron and his wife, Elaine, took up residence in Tuscarawas County and he served as the President of Sugarcreek Window & Door. He owned and operated various restaurant and bar establishments over the years, most notably The Gathering Place at Dover, the Broadway Brewhouse and Gavin’s at New Philadelphia and the Towpath Tavern at Bolivar.

Ron enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach. However, his true passion in life was his family especially his grandchildren. He truly cherished every moment and memory created with each of them. In return, his family will remember him for his loving, caring and gentle personality.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine (Pitt) Van Sile of the home his mother, Edith of Canandaigua, New York; his son, Eric (Heather) Van Sile of Dover; two daughters, Brenda Van Sile of Dover and Kristin Van Sile of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Hannah and Foster Van Sile, Allison, Kelsey and Caleb Zuk, Laura Beach and Amanda Zuk; two great grandchildren, Ella and Thomas Beach; his siblings, Nancy Van Sile, Terry (Simone) Van Sile and Diane (Dave) Dennie all of New York; his special friend, Michele Dotts of Dover; his fellow Marine and best friend who saved his life in Vietnam, Arnold Allen of New York and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, Ron was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Newman.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A candle lighting ceremony will conclude visitation and the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Post #1445 will follow with military honors. All are then invited to join the family for a candle lit walk to Gavin’s for a celebration of Ron’s life. In keeping with Ron’s wishes, cremation has been conducted through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory and inurnment will be held at a later date.

Ron’s family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the Intensive Care Unit at Union Hospital and Morning Star at Aultman Hospital for their exemplary care and compassion during his illness.

Contributions may be made in Ron’s memory to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington DC 20004.