William J. Weigand

William J. “Bill” Weigand, Jr. 83, of New Philadelphia, died Sunday morning in his home, following a two-month illness. Born April 19, 1920 in Dover, he was raised on a farm by his parents, William J. Weigand, Sr. and Sarah J. Espenschied Weigand. Bill attended a one-room school before transferring to St. Joseph Catholic High School before going to work in the strip mines that were near his home. At the age of twenty-one, he married the former Rose Pealey on November 29, 1941. One week later, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and Bill joined the United States Army to defend our country. Their honeymoon was brief, but their married life together spanned more than sixty-one years.While in the service, Bill was a member of Battery A of the 274th Armored Field Artillery Battalion which followed General George S. Patton through Northern France, Ardennes Rhineland and Central Europe. Bill was a classified as a marksman with his rifle, and earned four Bronze Stars, the EAME Campaign Medal, in addition to the Good Conduct Medal and the American Theater Campaign Medal. For nearly thirty-two years, he worked in maintenance at the Timken Roller Bearing Co. in New Philadelphia. His co-workers will remember him for always traveling the mile between home and work on his old-fashioned bicycle.Bill was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Knights of Columbus, and post 1445 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New Philadelphia. He was a former member of the American Legion and the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge # 510. At home, Bill enjoyed gardening, and was known in his neighborhood for his beautiful roses, gladiolas, and salvia. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Linda (William Jr.) Winters of New Philadelphia; grandsons Douglas William Winters of St. Louis Missouri, and Jeffery Allen Winters of New Philadelphia, sisters Beatrice Koeller of Youngstown, and Marjorie (Joseph Richard) Warner of Canton; and a brother, Herman (Mary) Weigand of Dover; a brother-in-law, Wallace (Jean) Pealey of Zoarville, sister-in-law Lucille McCulley of New Philadelphia, and brother-in-law Francis Finley of Uhrichsville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A son, Ronnie Weigand, as well as brothers Norman and Karl Weigand precede him in death. Friends are invited to call Wednesday, November 12 from 4 until 7 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home, New Philadelphia where Christian wake services will commence at 6:30PM. Father Martin Ralko and Bill’s cousin, Father Arthur Nist of Massillon, will celebrate Mass Thursday at 10:30 AM in Sacred Heart Church. Burial, with military honors presented by the New Philadelphia V.F.W., will follow at Dover Calvary Cemetery. A reception will be held in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, following the committal service at the cemetery. Please direct memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia OH 44663.