Sarah Ann Sturtz

Sarah Ann (Evans) Sturtz, 91, of New Philadelphia and St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away in her residence May 26, 2015, surrounded by the love of her family and Community Hospice.

Born in New Philadelphia on October 3, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Evans and Mary (Kappler) Evans Stiffey.

Sarah graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1943. While she was an operator during World War II, she met her lifelong companion and friend, late George Sturtz, whom she wed on September 30, 1946. Together, they celebrated 41 years of marriage with prior to his passing on March 27, 1987.

Sarah’s faith was nurtured at Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Florida. She also had a love for baking delicious pies and cookies and completing crossword puzzles. Sarah also greatly enjoyed her time in Florida, where she was able to be close to her children and her extended family. She always was quick to share a piece of her chocolate candy with anyone that visited with her. She had a heart of love and a giving spirit that will long be remembered by those touched by her grace.

Sarah was a courageous and caring lady. She fell and broke her pelvis, and while in medical care, she learned of her inoperative cancer and was given 3 to 6 months to live if she went untreated. She chose no treatment, wanting to live her last days to the best of her ability. With the love and constant care of her family, especially her daughter-in-law, Betty, and two wonderful Hospice teams (Community Hospice and Suncoast Hospice), she lived two active years of life full of luncheons with friends, worship on Sundays, family cook-outs and hairstyling every Friday. She was blessed with a wonderful 90th birthday party celebration where she had the joy of visiting with more than 75 family members and friends.

Sarah will be deeply missed by her family including her sons and daughter-in-laws, William and Betty Sturtz of St. Petersburg, Florida with whom she resided for the past 10 years; James & Diane Sturtz of Pinellas Park, Florida; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Norma Laner and Helen Sturtz both of New Philadelphia; brother-in-law, Robert Sturtz of Plant City, FL; niece, Mary Kay Laner of Bolivar; nephews, Brent Laner of New Philadelphia; great-niece, Abby Margo of Coraopolis, PA; cousin, Dave Evans of Westerville; her 15-year-old schnauzer, Teddy; her granddog, Jake; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins loved deeply by Sarah.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. A service celebrating Sarah’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. with Pastor Brian Flood officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Friends are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal will be shared following the committal service.

Memorial contributions in Sarah’s memory may be directed to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Florida, 33760.

Sarah’s family is eternally grateful to Sherry Dummermuth of New Philadelphia and Patsy Moore of St. Pete, Florida, in addition to the hospice teams for the personal care, attention, and love given to Sarah in her final years of life. Because of it, she was able to live a quality, vibrant life after her diagnosis and throughout her illness.