Iona Lora Emert

Iona Lora Emert, 82, of Dover passed away on March 2, 2021, at the Community Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia surrounded by her loving family.


Born on September 1, 1938, in Parral, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Hazel (Border) Biederman. She was a graduate of Dover High School with the class of 1957. For many years she worked for Miller Studio in New Philadelphia and Hennis Care Center in Dover where she retired after 30 years.


On December 11, 1977, she married Charles R. Emert, who preceded her in death on January 10, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Carol and Nellie Biederman.


Iona attended Life Bridge Community Church in Dover. She enjoyed music and was an award-winning accordion player as a teenager. She was featured on the Gene Carroll TV show and the “Lucky Thirteen” radio show on WJER. She played at the Dover Elks Minstrel and performed for wounded warriors at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC. She also enjoyed traveling, flowers, and dogs. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. Iona loved people and never met a stranger.


She will be greatly missed by her children; Mark (Marla) Miskimen of Dennison, Scott (Jennifer) Miskimen of Sugarcreek, Janice Miskimen of Dover, and Gary (Linda) Miskimen of Sterling; along with her twelve grandchildren, Melissa Hershberger, Michelle Horton, Matthew Meek, Mianna Morrison, Kenny Merdell, Nathan Merdell, Kym Miskimen, Nick Miskimen, Jordan Blake, Jesse Blake, Caitlyn Miskimen, Chris Miskimen; and eleven great-grandchildren.


Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Saturday, March 6, 2021, from 10:30-12:00 pm. A celebration of Iona’s life will take place at the funeral home on Saturday at 12:00 pm with Dennis Hostetler officiating. Interment will be at Dover Burial Park. To sign an online guestbook for Iona, visit the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.


Memorial Contributions can be made to the Community Hospice Truman House, 716 Commercial Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622.