Florence Billiter, 1925-2009

Florence I. Billiter, 84, of Strasburg died at her home surrounded by her family and loved ones including her dog, Beaver, on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, following an extended illness.


Born on July 12, 1925, in Sharon, Pa., she was the daughter of the late George and Florence Thumm Kautz. She celebrated 64 years of marriage to her husband, Fred Billiter Sr., on Dec. 14, 2009. For seven years, she worked at the Strasburg Lawson's store as a cashier. Flo also had a paper route for The Times-Reporter, worked for the former Cindy's Restaurant in Strasburg and sold homemade Easter candy. She was also a Stanley Home Dealer.

Her family was very important to her. She looked forward to getting together for her family's Christmas parties and reunions, and going out to eat for birthday celebrations.

She enjoyed mowing her yard, reading her Bible, traveling, roller skating, tending to her garden and flowers and she especially loved making her own ceramics and crafts. Each year, since 1970, she handmade Christmas ornaments for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved quilting and spent many hours making quilts for all of her children. She was a member of the Word of Faith Christian Center, a former member of the Dover Eagles Club and the Uhrichsville Moose, and a member of the Christian Women's Center, where she was a dress model. She served on the committee for the Tuscarawas County Homemakers, where she received the 2007 Homemaker of the Year award.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, Fred; her five sons, Ralph Billiter of New Philadelphia, Russell Billiter of Hannibal, O., Fred Billiter Jr. of Caldwell, O., George (wife, Judy) Billiter of Stone Creek, Roger (wife, Lynn) Billiter of Strasburg; three daughters, Nancy (husband, Wayne) O'Brien of Texas, Rita "Skeeter" (husband, Mark) Meeks-Rothacher of Strasburg, Elda Hadorn of Dover; as well as 30 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Flo was preceded in death by her brother, William Kautz; two half sisters, Georgia Brown and Lucille Cropper Mitchell; as well as four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Flo's life will take place at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Andy McClung and Rev. Jim Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Union Cemetery in Strasburg. Following the service of committal, a meal will take place at Community Baptist Church in Dover. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Flo may sign the online register book by visiting the obituaries link on the funeral home's Web site.

Toland-Herzig

Dick Charnock, 1929-2010

Richard R. "Dick" Charnock, age 80, of Dover passed away peacefully late Thursday afternoon, Jan. 14, 2010, in Union Hospital at Dover.
Born July 12, 1929, at Akron, he was a son of the late Ralph L. Charnock and Martha Loper Charnock Walker.
Best known as Dick to his family and friends, he was a 1947 graduate of Dover High School who went on to serve as a cadet instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Upon his discharge in 1952, he had earned a Korean Service Medal with one battle star.
Dick returned to the Tuscarawas Valley, marrying the former Donna Maple, on March 25, 1952. They went on to observe 57 wedding anniversaries.
Mr. Charnock was widely known for his contributions to The Times-Reporter, retiring in 1990 as the director of advertising following a 30-year affiliation that began when Dick sold advertising for the Dover Daily Reporter.
Dick came out of retirement to serve at the director of marketing and advertising for the Massillon Independent from 1990 until 1992.
Active in the community, Dick was a member of the Winfield United Methodist Church, B.P.O. Elks No. 510 at New Philadelphia, and was a life member of V.F.W. Post 1445 at New Philadelphia and New Philadelphia Lodge No. 177 F. & A. M.
Dick was a familiar face at Five Waters Golf Course, where he was a member of the Senior Golf League. He'll be sadly missed by his fellow golfers, who will never forget Dick driving his purple and yellow colored golf cart.
In addition to his wife, Donna, who resides at Dover, his family includes two daughters, Christie (husband Randel) Gates of Dover, Shelley (husband, Patrick) Wheeler of Mascoutah, Ill., Richard R. "Rick" (wife, Joann) Charnock Jr. of Dover, and James R. "Jim" (wife, Sherri) Charnock, of Lyndhurst, O.
He'll be sadly missed by 13 grandchildren, Brent and Ryan Gates, David Wheeler, Allyson (husband, Mark) Adams, Kate (husband, Chris) Martin, Christie (husband, Rob) Wood, Zachary, Katelyn, Alexa, Brooke and Olivia Charnock, Matthew and Taylor Charnock.
Four great-grandchildren, Patrick and Harrison Adams, Eve and Cole Martin, and a sister, Martha Ann Straub of Dover, complete the family.
Friends are invited to call Saturday morning, Jan. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Rev. Lu Ann Youngman will lead a Celebration of Dick's Life at 11 a.m. in the funeral home's chapel.
Inurnment, with military honors, will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.
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 Web site.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Winfield United Methodist Church, 5247 State Rt. 516 NW, Dover, O., 44622, the Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, O., 44622, or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.

Welcome, former T-R staffers...

Former T-R Managing Editor Sandy Stewart and I talked about creating blog especially to serve former T-R employees, who have either retired or moved on to other careers and positions after serving a stint on Wabash Ave. NW (or on N. Broadway or on Reporter Ct.)
We'd like to hear about your lives since you left and, of course, your thoughts on just about anything.
Perhaps down the road we can plan a reunion or luncheon or something to get us back together again. There are better places to meet than funeral homes.
If you have some news about our old friends, please let us know. Pictures are welcome, too. Thanks.
-- Dick Farrell