Grace Edith Garver

Grace Edith Garver, 103, of Strasburg, died Wednesday, June 5, 2002, peacefully at home with her children.

Grace was born 6 December 1898 to Zeno and Dora (Snell) Miller on a farm in Canaan township, Wayne County, Ohio. Her mother died when Grace was three and at age 12 she went to live with her paternal grandparents, Michael and Catherine (Sommers) Miller, in Creston, Ohio. She graduated from Creston High School in 1917, attended Wooster College and Ohio University and taught school for six years before her marriage to John B. Garver of Strasburg on 21 June 1923. Formerly a member of the Jackson Presbyterian Church, Grace joined the Strasburg United Brethren Church shortly after her marriage. In 1925 the church choir was organized with Grace as director, she continued in that capacity for over 60 years. She worked in the children's departments of the church and at different times was teacher of the women's Otterbein Class. She was active in many community organizations. Grace was a charter member of the Women's Club of Strasburg and in 1935, as president, assisted in starting the first Kindergarten in Strasburg Schools. She was also a charter member and past president of The Ladies Auxiliary to Charles Hofer American Legion Post No. 522. She was active in musical circles, including being a 70-year member of the McDowell Music Study Club. As a charter member and later member of the Board of Directors, she was active in organizing the Tuscarawas County Philharmonic Orchestra. Grace was a past county president of the Parent Teachers Association, a member and past Worthy Matron of Cypress Chapter No. 540, Order of the Eastern Star, and Deputy Grand Matron of District 14, O.E.S. With her husband, she was a charter member of the Strasburg Dramatic Club, playing a lead role in ''January Thaw.'' She was active in the Republican Party and attended the Republican National Conventions in 1956 and 1960 with 16th District Delegate and husband, John Garver. After John's retirement in 1! 962 from the Garver Bros. Company store they enjoyed traveling, fishing, and gardening together. John died in 1983 at the age of 87. In 1978 she was honored as Sesquicentennial Queen of Strasburg's 150th anniversary. In 1992, Grace was recipient of the Strasburg United Methodist Church AGAPE Award.

Grace is survived by two daughters and a son, Elizabeth Jolie, of North Beach Haven, New Jersey, Josephine Bichsel and son-in-law Dale E. Bichsel, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Colonel (Ret.) John B. Garver, Jr. of Bethesda, Maryland. In addition, Mrs. Garver is survived by 13 grandchildren, and by 28 great-grandchildren. One brother, four half brothers and one half sister preceded her in death. Two half sisters, Ruth Thompson and Lois Erdos, survive.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, 15 June at 11 a.m. in the Strasburg United Methodist Church, Strasburg. Calling hours will be Friday, 14 June, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home at Dover and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Eastern Star services will be Friday, 14 June at 6:45 p.m. Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Grace by visiting the online obituaries link on the funeral home's Web site.

Reverends Steven Court and Howard Fox will officiate. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Strasburg United Methodist Church memorial fund or the Hospice of Tuscarawas County.

Burial will be in Grandview Union Cemetery, Strasburg.

Toland-Herzig
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com