William Frederick Beaber

William Frederick Beaber, 88, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia and a member of the Greatest Generation, passed away in Mercy Medical Center on March 10, 2015 following a sudden illness.

Born on his family’s farm in New Philadelphia on November 8, 1926, Bill was the son of the late Lorin H. and Harriet M. (Hawk) Beaber. After graduating from New Philadelphia High School in 1944, Bill honorably served his country, having been deployed to Japan at the end of the war.

Bill was a farmer by trade, but also spent much of his life as a blacksmith. He worked for and retired in 1992 from Snyder Labs. He also enjoyed owning and operating the Tee Pee Campgrounds on County Road 21.

Cowboy boots were a staple of Bill’s daily dress. His pride and joy was caring for his Appaloosa Stallion, Cheyenne. He also loved to go dancing with his first wife, the late Norma L. (Hoover) Beaber.
Gardening and enjoying good food were passions of his. Bill never left the dinner table without saying, “Is there any pie, cake, cookies, or fruit?” at the end of the meal.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, the former Elreta K. Sergent, whom he wed in 1996; his son, Jeffrey A. Beaber of Strasburg; his step-children, Kathy Krebs, Larry (Ellen) Hootman, and Phillip (Valerie) Hootman; siblings, Lorin B. (Jean) Beaber and Janet (Marvin) Renner, both of New Philadelphia; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, David E. Beaber; and his step-son, Samuel Hootman.

Visitation will be held Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Bill’s life will begin at 3 p.m. with Rev. Frank Sapp, Jr. officiating. Cremation and inurnment at Ridgecrest Memory Garden in Dover will take place at a later date.
Following the service, friends are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal will be shared.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be directed to Jerusalem Church, 1417 Stonecreek Rd SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.