W. Richard Werner

W. Richard Werner, age 87, longtime community and civic leader of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Monday morning, July 28, 2008.Born on Christmas Day, 1920, Mr. Werner was the son of the late Selwyn Taylor Werner and Inez Morrow Werner.Mr. Werner was a graduate of Uhrichsville High School in 1938 and Mount Union College in 1942. Following graduation, he became affiliated with the Standard Oil Company at Cleveland until autumn, 1943. Mr. Werner then joined the United States Navy from 1944-1946, as part of the Submarine Service in the Pacific Theater.Mr. Werner began his career with General Electric in Coshocton before he went to work with Marsh Wall Products of Dover, the predecessor to Marlite, Division of Masonite Corporation. Later he acquired the Nolan Co. of Bowerston and the Duplex Truck Company of Midvale, serving as Chairman and CEO until his retirement in 1988.Mr. Werner had numerous community affiliations. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, New Philadelphia Lodge # 177 F. & A. M., a 61 year member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Canton, 61 year member of the Tadmor Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Akron, a Life Member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #510 of New Philadelphia and a life member of the National Rifle Association. In 1972, Mr. Werner served as the first chairman of the newly formed New Philadelphia Airport Commission. Also, he was a life member of the American Legion, longtime member of both the Atwood Yacht Club, and the Union Country Club and a former member of the Rotary Club of New Philadelphia. Mr. Werner took great interest in the Tuscarawas County YMCA, serving four terms as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, one term on the Y trustees as secretary and one as treasurer. Mr. Werner also served as a swim team official for more than a decade.Another of Mr. Werner’s interests was education. He served two terms on the New Philadelphia Board of Education, twice as president. During this time, he was a member of the education committee of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, which was responsible, together with the A.A.U.W., for bringing the Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus to reality. Through this involvement, the board of education provided space for Kent at New Philadelphia High School. The first books for a library at KSU Tuscarawas, then housed in the basement of the Tuscarawas County Library, were purchased through a significant grant obtained by Mr. Werner.Survivors include two daughters; Catherine Marsh (husband Edward) Gould of New Philadelphia and Barbara Ann Werner of Canton, one son; William Richard Werner, Jr. of Laramie, WY, grandchildren; James Lynn (wife Jennifer) Crandall, III, Kelly Ann Crandall, Kyle Richard Gould, a great-grandson; Carson James Crandall, step-grandchildren; Edward M. Gould, Douglas M. Gould, three step-great grandchildren, a brother; Selwyn T. Werner Jr. of Miami, Florida, a nephew; Lee (wife Becky) Novak of Uhrichsville, and a brother-in-law, Alvin C. Marsh, Jr. of New Philadelphia. Mr. Werner is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of fifty-seven years, the former Ruth Marsh Werner. The couple wed June 5, 1948, and Mrs. Werner departed June 24, 2005. A sister-in-law, Carolyn Laws Marsh, is also deceased. Friends are invited to call Thursday, July 31, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Masonic Lodge of Sorrow commencing at 7:30. The Rev. Dr. Steven R. Bailey will officiate funeral services for Mr. Werner Friday morning at 11AM in the Funeral Home’s Chapel. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Family and friends will gather for a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to the Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe Street, Dover, OH 44622, to The Alzheimer’s Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8111, 4488 Forrest Park Boulevard, Suite 130, St. Louis, MO 63108, or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choice.Linn-Hert-Geib(330) 343-5506www.geibcares.com