James A. "Jim" Mizer

James A. “Jim” Mizer, age 83, of North Canton, and a long-time resident of Dover, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Born September 28, 1939, in Dover, he was the son of the late James H. and Carrie Stucky Mizer. Jim attended Dover High School where he excelled in sports and was a MVP in both track and basketball. He graduated from Dover in 1957, and, on January 1, 1961, married the former Donna L. Walter. The couple had three children and shared nearly 49 years of marriage prior to Donna’s passing on November 15, 2009. 

Jim was employed by the City of Dover Cemeteries for 47 years, the last 31 years as superintendent; he retired in 2006. Jim was a caring, dedicated and forward-thinking cemeterian who is to be credited with maintaining the high standards and beautiful settings of Dover Burial Park, Maple Grove and Fourth Street Cemeteries. Additionally, Jim served as president of the Ohio Association of Cemetery Superintendents and Officials and was a founding member of the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Committee.

He belonged to Dover First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the financial committee, men’s group and sang in the choir. In years past, Jim was very involved with the Tuscarawas County YMCA, serving on the board of directors and as board president. He also coached youth swimming at the “Y” for 15 years.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed watching, attending or otherwise following all kinds of sporting events. Later, in retirement, he liked taking care of the yard around his North Canton home and keeping up with events further south in Dover. It should be mentioned too that Jim was blessed with an insightful sense of humor, which those close to him got to know and appreciate. 

Jim was a devoted family man. He will be dearly missed by his children, Todd (Lyn) Mizer of Howard, Karen (Greg) Beckmeyer of Cincinnati, and Julie (Karl) Schwenk of Canton; his grandchildren, Elyse (Matt) Sturtz, Peter Mizer, Jacob and Nathan Heid, Zachary (Kenzie) and Kristen Beckmeyer; his great-grandchildren, Sylvia, Evelyn, Eleanor and Benjamin; and his sister, Barbara Enderle of Columbus.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Thursday, June 1, 5 - 7 p.m., and on Friday, June 2, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11:30 in the funeral home; Pastor Wesley George will officiate. Burial will be beside his beloved Donna in Dover Burial Park. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Jim, please visit the Obituaries link on the funeral home’s website.

The family suggests that contributions in Jim’s memory be made to Dover First United Methodist Church, 1725 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622, or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.