Terry L. Polka

Terry L. Polka, 61, of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, September 27, 2005, at Union Hospital in Dover with his loving family at his side following a courageous battle with cancer.A son of the late Carl and Ruth (Carpenter) Polka, Terry was born June 19, 1944 in Dover, Ohio.Terry was a 1962 graduate of New Philadelphia High School where he was a letterman in both baseball and basketball.He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in Okinawa for two years.Terry retired from the New Philadelphia Fire Department in 1993 after 23 years of service. He had also worked for many area meat markets as a meat cutter.He enjoyed playing cards especially while gathered around the dining room table with family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Myrtle Beach. Terry also coached church league basketball as well as assisting in coaching his sons’ baseball teams. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his precious family.He is survived by his lovely wife, Patty (Taylor) Polka, whom he married on May 12, 1968; three sons, Todd (Margaret) Polka of Sugarcreek, Jeff Polka of New Philadelphia and Jason Polka of Dover; three grandchildren, Mitchell Polka, Chelsey Polka and Chad Polka; one brother, Ted (Brenda) Polka of New Philadelphia; two brother-in-laws, Bruce (Sharon) Taylor of New Philadelphia and Terry (Patty) Taylor of Dover; one sister-in-law, Linda Polka of New Philadelphia; and many nieces and nephews.Terry was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Carl A. Polka; his mother and father-in-law, Jim and Daisy Taylor; and one brother-in-law, Cal Taylor.Visitation will be Thursday, September 29, 2005 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Rev. Glen Shedlock officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. A memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center in New Philadelphia following the services.Memorial contributions may be made in Terry’s name to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.