Ruth Maxine Meese

Ruth M. Meese, age 87, of Dover, and a former resident of Brightwood, New Philadelphia, and Florida, met her savior Jesus Christ, on Friday, February 5, 2010. Born at Midvale, Ohio, March 19, 1922, she was a daughter of the late John W. and Mary Storrie Thomas. Ruth was a 1940 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. On a warm evening following graduation while visiting the former Tuscora Park Roller Rink, she met and fell in love with her husband, the late Millard F. Meese. The couple wed August 24, 1941, and he preceded her in death on May 31, 1989. Best known to her family and friends affectionately as “Ruthie” she’ll be remembered for her sense of humor, and excellent cooking and baking skills. She was an active member of the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church at New Philadelphia, where she served as an elder until illness prevented her from attending. She loved the warm and sunny winters in Florida, maintaining several homes there since 1971. Survivors include two sons; M.A. “Pede” (wife, Jean) Meese of New Philadelphia, and John Meese (partner, Todd Zoscak) of Pompano Beach, Florida; two granddaughters; Shelley Harmon of New Philadelphia, and Pam (husband, Tim) Anderson of Parma, O., three great-grandchildren; Travis and Emily Harmon and Seth Anderson. A sister, Lura Jean “Lu” (husband, Dale) Kreisher, of Dover, two brothers-in-law; Norman (wife Molly) Meese of Bowling Green, and Art Heidenreich of New Philadelphia, as well as two sisters-in-law: Nedra Thomas of New Philadelphia, and Doris Meese of Surgarcreek, also survive. Two special nieces; Janie Huffman and Jill (husband, Jeff) Hootman, all of Dover, as well as several other nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Meese is preceded in death by her son, Thomas Meese, a sister; Jessie Seymour, a brother; John W. Thomas, Jr., a sister-in-law, Mildred Heidenreich, and a brother-in-law; Harold Meese. Friends are invited to call Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 9:30 Â? 10:30 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Sue Koenig will lead a memorial service Saturday morning at 10:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Following the service, family and friends will gather in the Geib Family Center for a luncheon reception. Private cremation with inurnment in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens is planned. To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following charities; Tuscarawas County Historical Society, P O Box 462, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, 2200 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.