Connie J. Reese

Connie Jo (Zifer) Reese, 87, of Dover died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016 in Union Hospital in Dover following an extended illness.

Connie assisted her mother in the operation of Mary Zifer Pizza Shop for several years. She and her husband Jesse owned and operated the former Zifaro's Pizza Shop in Uhrichsville and the Bassetti's Restaurant in New Philadelphia. They also founded Bassetti Spaghetti Sauces and Salad Dressing in Dover.

Born Dec. 29, 1928 in Dover, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Tornabene) Zifer. In addition to her parents, Connie was preceded in death by her daughter Kim Homman, two grandchildren, William and Stephanie Homman, a brother, Jim Zifer and a sister, Rosalie Zifer.

Connie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover. She graduated from the 1947 Class at Dover High School where she served on all the reunion committees. She was a founding member of the Dover Mothers Club that was organized over 50 years ago and a member of the Tuscarawas County Womens Association. She received Woman of the Year in 1986 from the Cal-U-Met Chapter.

She will be sadly missed by her family including her husband of nearly 69 years, Jesse "Jack" Reese. They were married on November 27; two sons, John Reese and Gary (Darlene) Reese both of Dover; five grandchildren and several great grandchildren; two brothers, Joe (Bev) Zifer of Dover and Richard (Susie) Zifer of Dover; two sisters, Rita (Alex) Hutras of Nevada and Mary Jane (Randy) Newhouser of Strasburg and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 beginning at 11am in the St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover with Fr. Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at Dover. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10-11am. A reception will follow the graveside at the St. Joseph Family Life Center. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Connie may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover or the Community Hospice House (Truman House) in New Philadelphia.

The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover has been entrusted with her arrangements.