Rose Marie K. Johnson

Rose Marie K. Johnson, age 72, of Canton and formerly of Dover, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 10, 2015 in Affinity Medical Center at Massillon following a period of declining health.

The daughter of the late Frank J. and Catherine M. (Battisti) DeMattio, Rose Marie was born in her grandparent’s Dennison home on January 5, 1943.

During the first 11 years of her education, Rose Marie attended Wintersville Schools and became a 1961 graduate of the former Midvale High School.

In 1962, Rose Marie began working for the Social Security Administration’s New Philadelphia office in the clerical department. During her last twenty years of employment with the administration, she worked as a Claims Representative and Technical Expert; retiring with over 40 years of service.

Her spiritual and liturgical life was nurtured in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover, where she was an active participant in the Hispanic Children Child Care Ministries. Having always wanting to be an educator, Rose Marie used her passion to help others any time she could and found the gratification of being able to assist others rewarding and healing. She loved her church family deeply and appreciated the opportunities presented to her by Fr. Matt Hoover and the staff.

Professionally, Rose Marie was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and looked forward to her monthly luncheons with the Social Security Retirees. Having spent 30 plus years of their lives together the retirees shared a close bond and formed many friendships.

Above all, Rose Marie enjoyed being with her family, and being active in the lives of her grandchildren. She loved taking time to support her granddaughter’s cheerleading activities and cheering on her grandson during his baseball games.

She will be deeply missed by two sons, Jimmy L. (Colleena) Anderson of Columbus and Michael R. (Debra Competti) Anderson of Massillon; two grandchildren, Ashley Marie Anderson and Matthew Robert Anderson; a brother, Albert (Kay) DeMattio of New Philadelphia and a sister-in-law, Joan DeMattio of Steubenville; her first cousins, Alan “Lanny” Bates of Michigan and John DeMattio of New Philadelphia as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Rose Marie was preceded in death by her brothers, Louis “Gene” DeMattio, Charles DeMattio and Frank DeMattio.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Father Jimmy Hatfield and Father Michael Gribble will concelebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover. Burial will following in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to share in a time of food and fellowship in the Geib Family Center adjacent to the New Philadelphia Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rose Marie may be directed to the St. Joseph Ministry to the Poor, 613 N Tuscarawas Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622.