Guy Franklin Limbacher

Today and forevermore, Guy Franklin Limbacher will be the athlete again - walking, running, talking, bike-riding, lifting weights and having the kind of life in heaven that he should have enjoyed on earth.

Guy died at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, Feb. 12, 2011, at Hennis Care Centre in Dover with his beloved children at his bedside. He was 66.

Guy was born Feb. 4, 1945, in the kitchen of the family's 127-acre dairy and working farm in Crawford Township, Coshocton County, near Baltic. He graduated from the former Baltic High School in 1963.

Guy served honorably with the Army in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967.

When his tour of duty ended, Guy bought his dream car - a 1967, green 4-speed Plymouth GTX. With his car's 440-cubic-inch engine, he treasured "shutting down" lesser and slower vehicles.

He and the former Jolene Delbert of Dover were married for 38 years before divorcing.

Their firstborn, Christopher Limbacher, 41, lives in Dublin with his wife, the former Karen Besozzi of North Canton. They have three beautiful sons, Samuel Franklin, 7; Zachary Thomas, 5; and Nathan Christopher, 1.

Their daughter, Dr. Kellie J. Zaylor, 38, lives in Rocky River with her husband, Darren Zaylor, formerly of Westlake and North Canton. They have two beautiful sons, Grant Adam, whose 6th birthday was two days before his grandfather's death, and Cole Christopher, 2.

The Guy Limbacher family of Dover spent yearly vacations in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. Those times yielded some of the family's best memories as they swam and enjoyed home-cooked meals after a "rough" day at the pool and ocean. There were movies to enjoy, fish to catch and shopping to be done. Guy took great pride in his children's achievements and dedication to hard work.

He was a member of the Dover Tornado Club, and reveled in Dover football and basketball. He was working the Tornado Relays in 1972 when he was summoned to the hospital for the birth of his daughter. Guy loved sports of all kinds - including the Buckeyes, Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

Guy could side a house, and repair and build anything. He and his son, Chris, enjoyed working together on projects around the house.

He spent 40 years as a foreman at Belden Brick Co.'s Plant 8 in Sugarcreek.

His parents, Harry and Wilma Lower Limbacher preceded him in death. A sister, Carol Lower, died in 1979; a great-nephew, Jeremy Lower, died in 2009; and a former brother-in-law, Louis Swaim died in 2010.

Guy's survivors include his sisters, Nancy and Dick Beck of Dover, and Glenda and Joe Patino of Oxnard, California; nieces and nephews, Dawn and Ken Ruppel of Columbus; Carol Diane and Denny Mizer of Navarre; Donnie and Debbie Lower of Baltic; Ronnie and Theresa Lower of Dundee; Nicholas and Jessica Lower of Medina; and Tracie and Chad Kurti of Camarillo, Calif.

Guy also is survived by his former wife's sisters and brother-in-law, Marcy and Reuben Mullet of Dundee, and Ginger Swaim of Uhrichsville. Marcy and Reub spent many hours at Guy's side, and their love, affection and humor brought much brightness to his life. They will miss him dearly.

Guy was diagnosed with prostate cancer and a rare brain disease, progressive supra-nuclear palsy both of which are caused by Agent Orange poisoning.
Guy fought the brain disease for many years, constantly trying to keep his mobility. Hundreds of times he fell, and hundreds of times he got back up. Over the years, the disease robbed him of his ability to walk, move, see, speak and swallow.

His family and an important person from his past remained steadfastly by his side. When Guy was in high school, he played guard for the Baltic Eagles varsity basketball team. He spoke fondly of his coach, Errol Jacobs, who unexpectedly arrived at the nursing home one day to visit Guy. A legendary basketball coach in Tuscarawas County, Errol visited Guy weekly as they reminisced about bygone days.

Dr. Paul McFadden and the staff at Hennis saw to Guy's medical needs, for which the family is extremely grateful.

Guy now has joined countless other Vietnam War veterans who have fallen victim to Agent Orange. His family will never forget a life's worth of sacrifices and suffering he gave for them and his country.

Family and friends may call on Monday, Feb. 14, 4:30 - 8 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover. A service honoring Guy will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Guy's ashes then will be interred in Dover Burial Park, where military rites will be presented by the Dover post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following the committal, there will be a meal in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Guy, please visit the Toland-Herzig website and click on Obituaries.

TOLAND-HERZIG, DOVER
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com