Vivian Lois Fiddler

Vivian L. Fiddler, a widely known civic leader, passed away early Sunday evening, August 2, 2009, in her Sandy Township home at the age of 76. She had courageously battled cancer for the past six years. Born in her family home above the Somerdale post office February 17, 1933, her family lovingly thought of her as a “special delivery” daughter of the late George and Leuretta Taiclet Johnson. She attended Mineral City High School and went on to the Canton Actual Business College. Later she received management training from the United States Census Bureau which lead to her becoming the director of the Canton Regional Census Bureau during the 1980 Census. Vivian was best known for her no-nonsense approach to community service. She served as Tuscarawas County Commissioner between 1985 and 1989, alongside the late William Winters and Charles Lorenz. Her many civic accomplishments were highlighted in Monday’s edition of The Times-Reporter. Closer to home, Vivian served for six years as a Sandy Township Trustee. She was a member of the Citizens for Fair Taxation, the Tuscarawas County Democratic Women, the Tuscarawas County Bicentennial Committee, and served on the board of directors for the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center.Victims of domestic violence were near and dear to Vivian’s heart â?? and under her leadership, Harbor House of Tuscarawas County received most of the revenue from marriage licenses issued in the county. She was a member of the Mineral City United Methodist Church, and was a dance instructor at the former Fred Astaire Dance Studio at Dover. She’ll be remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, for her delicious peach pies, for always thinking of her family first and demonstrating a common sense approach to civic service. Her family includes her husband of nearly sixty years, Willard Fiddler of Mineral City, a daughter; Shelly Barnett of Uniontown, and two sons; Mike of Mineral City, and Shaun (wife, Candace) also of Mineral City. Her grandchildren include the late Sgt. Jeremy D. Barnett, the first soldier killed in action from the Tuscarawas Valley in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ten additional grandchildren include; Amanda (husband Eric) Young of Sandyville, Nicole Fiddler of Ragersville, Cody (wife Danielle) Fiddler of Carrollton, Katie (husband Chris) Chappell of Carrollton, Amy Fiddler of Lake Cable, OH, Natalie (husband Nick) Gallucci of Mineral City, O, Emily and Rebecca Barnett of Uniontown, Justin and Chandy Fiddler of Mineral City, and two great-grandchildren Cassidy and Gabriel also survive. Two sisters; Jolane Ohliger of Estero, Florida, Jane (husband Jerry) Shaffer of Naples, Florida, and a brother, George “Bill” (wife Barb) Johnson of Stow complete the family. In addition to her parents and grandson, Vivian is preceded in death by three sisters; Marjorie Stevens, Joan Materna, and Shirley Secrest. Friends are invited to call Wednesday, August 5, from 4PM â?? 7PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Peggy Garner will lead the Fiddler Funeral Thursday morning at 10:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, following a procession past the County Courthouse, will take place in German Cemetery at Mineral City. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. The Fiddler family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622, in gratitude for their exemplary care.