Walter Henry Canty

Walter H. Canty, 85, of New Philadelphia, died Monday evening, January 26, 2004 at Hennis Care Centre in Dover following a brief illness.Born February 11, 1918 in Clarksburg, WV, he was the only child of the late Walter H. and Charity M. Davis Canty. In 1922 the family relocated to New Philadelphia where Walter grew up. He graduated from New Philadelphia High School with the class of 1936. During World War II, Walter served with the U. S. Navy as a radio operator. His military life took him to the South Pacific where he served aboard the U.S.S. Mettawee and the U.S.S. Audubon prior to his honorable discharge in 1945.While attending night school in Dover, Walter met Ruth I. Lanzer, who was also attending night school. The couple was married June 29, 1946 at Grace Lutheran Church in Dover. In 1948, Walter began his long career with the U. S. Postal Service. For nineteen years, he worked for the railway postal service between Pittsburgh and Chicago. He retired in 1986 from the Canton main post office as an expeditor.Walter attended Grace Lutheran Church in Dover with Ruth for many years and was a member of the J. C. Miller Sunday School class there. He previously attended the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia. Walter liked to watch sporting events on television. He also enjoyed reading and caring for his and Ruth’s cats, “Lady” and “Tiger”.His beloved Ruth survives as well as nephews and nieces, David C. (Sally) Lanzer of Mobile, AL; James W. (Betty J.) Lanzer of Sherrodsville; Charles G. Bigler of Austin, TX; Barbara J. Summers of Powell, OH; Sandra K. (James R.) Gibb of Dover; Brenda S. Noe of Columbus and Steven L. Bigler of Dover. Great and great-great nephews and nieces also survive.Visitation will be Thursday, January 29, 2004 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home where Rev. Marlin Drake will conduct the funeral on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Following the service everyone is invited to a gathering in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.