John Conrad Rieger

John Conrad Rieger, 85, of Dover died on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Park Village Health Care Centre in Dover following an extended illness.

John was born on June 12, 1932 to the late Conrad and Catherine (Lab) Rieger and was the oldest of seven children. He was a 1950 graduate of Strasburg High School where he played basketball, football, baseball, and track. In 1949 he played for the undefeated state champion Strasburg Tigers football team who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He led the county in touchdowns. He retired from Diebold, where he was the quality control supervisor for over 30 years. He worked in the Canton, Wooster, and Newark offices. He was also a volunteer fireman for the Strasburg Fire Department for 34 years.

He was preceded in death by his first two wives, Beverly Bixler and Suzanne Fouts. On October 12, 2000, he married Elaine Johns, who survives. He was also preceded in death by two step-sons in law; James Higgins and William Steed; brother in law; John Ewing; his brother; William Rieger, along with an infant brother.

John loved spending his time outdoors fishing, camping, and hunting. He camped for over 40 years at Lake Erie. He also enjoyed bowling, playing the accordion, and organ. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover.

In addition to his wife of 17 years, Elaine, he will be sadly missed by his children; Michael (Bonnie) Rieger of Canton, Lynn (Glen) Fisher of Strasburg, Kim Draine of Canal Fulton; step children; Kimberly Higgins of New Philadelphia, Jennifer Steed of Corpus Christi, TX, and Melissa (Rick) Menges of Dover; 5 brothers and sisters, Alice (John) Haswell of Strasburg, Peg Ewing of Bolivar, Mary Lou (Maurice) Lundenberger of Bolivar, Joe (Jan) Rieger of Louisville, Tom Rieger of Canton; along with 6 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 10:30am with Father Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Interment will take place at the Strasburg St. Aloysius Cemetery where the Strasburg Volunteer Fire Department will conduct a service. Following the service of committal, a meal will be served at the St. Joseph's Family Life Center across the street from the church. Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 4-6:45pm. A Christian Wake service will take place at 6:45pm. Those unable to attend, or who would like to sign an online guestbook for John may do so by visiting the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Strasburg Fire Department, 125 2nd St NE, Strasburg, Ohio 44680 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622.