Dorothy A. Casebeer

Dorothy A. Casebeer, 87, a longtime Dover resident, died peacefully Monday, January 17, 2010, in the New Dawn Retirement Center, following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born October 14, 1923 at New Philadelphia, the daughter of the late Ralph and Eleonora Marburger Bitikofer.

The Casebeer family farm has been an unmistakable landmark on State Route 39 for decades. She loved her flower gardens and enjoyed making sure that the gardens and lawns were immaculately cared for. Dorothy was proud that, in recent years, the property has become home to NewPointe Community Church.

She was a hard worker and shared in the operation of the family's businesses with her husband, H. Lloyd Casebeer, who preceded her in death on August 7, 1994. She enjoyed working with him on the family farms. The two were well known to area farmers for selling Doebler Seed Corn. They also had a number of rental properties that they managed in Dover, New Philadelphia, Strasburg and Sugarcreek. Dorothy did work for 20 years outside of the home as well, retiring as manager of the former WT Grant Company.

For more than 50 years, Dorothy was a member, with all seven degrees, of the Brandywine Grange, and had been active in the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau. She was a faithful member of the Faith United Methodist Church at Dover.

She is survived by: a daughter, Lois (Michael) Lemr of Strongsville; three grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel and Kristen; several nieces and nephews. She will also be sadly missed and warmly remembered by many dear friends.

Along with her parents and husband, two brothers, Robert and Martin "Bud" Bitikofer; and a nephew, Robert Bitikofer preceded her in death.

Pastor Shelly Nordine will officiate a service that celebrates Dorothy's life on Friday, January 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park with a meal in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center for friends and family following the burial.

Friends may call in the funeral home on Thursday from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Dorothy by visiting the obituaries link on the funeral home's website.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Community Hospice, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover.