Allen Benjamin Church

Allen Benjamin Church, 82, a longtime resident of the Dover, Ohio community died Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2013 in the Community Hospice House in New Philadelphia following an extended illness.

Allen retired in 1994 from the former Empire Detroit Steel Company at Dover where he worked for twenty nine years.

Born April 20, 1930 in Warren, Ohio, he was the son of the late Wilson and Ruth (Beck) Church.

He attended the Community Baptist Church at Dover. Following graduation from Dover High School in 1949, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a Life Member of the Dover VFW and member of the Dover Moose Lodge. He served on several Dover High School Class Reunion Committees and was chairman of the 80th Class birthday party. He remained a huge Dover Tornado Football fan where he rarely missed a game. He was also a Cleveland Browns fan. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips across the U.S. and Canada. He also loved all forms of horseracing and enjoyed owning and raising Thoroughbreds.

He will be sadly missed by his family including his wife of 59 years, Dorothy (Dotts) Church with whom he married on Jan. 22, 1954; three daughters, Joy (Fred) Smart, Shelly (Ron) Maurer and Emma Auman all of Dover; seven grandchildren, Fred A. Smart, Scott (Jenn) Smart, Stephanie (Dr. Darrin) Kuczynski, Jennifer (Ben) Reynolds, Molly (Mickey) Sears, Benjamin (Brittany) Maurer and Jesse Auman and a step granddaughter, Nicole Auman; eleven great grandchildren and a sister, Rachel (Donley) Hostutler of Dover.

He was preceded in death by his son in law, Curt Auman.

Allen's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 at 1:30pm in the Community Baptist Church, 420 E. 3rd St., Dover with Pastor Andy McClung officiating. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park where the Wright Patterson Military detail along with the Dover VFW will conduct military graveside honors. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Tuesday from 5-8pm and at the church Wednesday from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Those who may wish to express a fond memory of Allen may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, Dover Community Baptist Church, 420 E. 3rd St., Dover, Ohio 44622 or one's favorite charity.