Roy E. Deibel

Roy E. Deibel, 88, of Dover, died Friday, November 9, 2012 in his home following lengthy illness.

A son of the late Oliver and Ida (Krebs) Deibel, Roy was born April 1, 1924 in his childhood home at Stone Creek, Ohio.

Roy graduated from Stone Creek High School in 1942. Then on April 21, 1943, he enlisted with the United States Navy and served during World War II as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. Roy received an honorable discharge on December 20, 1945.

On March 25, 1945, Roy married the former Betty J. Crossland and together the couple raised three children, Diane, Paul and Richard. Roy and Betty shared nearly 49 years of marriage prior to Betty’s passing on March 17, 1994.

He was a longtime employee of Joy Manufacturing at New Philadelphia and retired after 41 years of service as a supervisor. Roy was a member of Grace United Church of Christ at Stone Creek, presently known as Grace Community Church, where he was instrumental in the building of the church. He also served as an Elder and Deacon for the church. Roy was a founding member of the Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department and served as the treasurer for many years.

Roy became active with Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County through the work of his wife, a Hospice nurse. Following Betty’s passing, he continued his relationship with Hospice as a dedicated volunteer. He also enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Indians and Browns.

He is survived by a daughter, Diane Deibel of Bay Village, Ohio; two sons, Paul (Mary) Deibel of New Philadelphia and Richard (Julie) Deibel of Strasburg; three grandchildren, Aaron (Cory) Deibel of Cleveland, Brian (Tracy) Deibel of Bay Village, Ohio and Jodie Lynn Deibel of Strasburg; two great grandchildren, Mackenzie and Ella Deibel; a brother, Eugene (Jan) Deibel of Canton; numerous nieces and nephews and his close companion, Margaret Blakely of Dover.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Betty.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Roy’s life will be held Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastors Paul Houdeshelt and Chad Durfee officiating. Burial will follow in Ragersville Cemetery. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.

Contributions may be made on Roy’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Grace Community Church, P.O. Box 97, Stone Creek, OH 43840.