John Henry Hamsher

John Henry Hamsher, age 81, of Dover died peacefully on January 29th with family by his side. We all take comfort in knowing he has been welcomed into heaven where he joins his parents, Milo and Ollie Hamsher, brother Dallas and infant son, Bruce.

Originally from the Sugarcreek area, he later owned a farm in Winfield and then worked at Greer Steel for 22 ½ years before retiring in 1985.

His wife Edith with whom he would have celebrated 56 years of marriage in two weeks survives him, along with four children; Karen (Paul) Townsend of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Beverly Hamsher of Canton, Kevin Hamsher of Dover, and Joel (Teri) Hamsher of Akron.

Also among his loved ones are grandchildren Jennifer Townsend, Carla Hamsher, and Kristin and Laura Weigand.

John was the second oldest in his family of ten and is also survived by; Mrs. Dallas (Katherine) Hamsher of Orrville, Myron (Erma) Hamsher of Dalton, Reuben (Mabel) and Tom (Norma) Hamsher of Sugarcreek, Mary (Robert) Miller of Orrville, Edward (Margaret) Hamsher of Dover, Betty (Glen) Martin of Dalton and James (Esther) Hamsher and Robert Hamsher of Sugarcreek.

A member of “the greatest generation” he was a proud WW II veteran, having served in the US Army as T/5 in the 231st AAA Search Light Battalion Battery A in Panama for two years and the European Theater for 18 months. He was in four major campaigns earning four bronze battle stars.

John was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and loyal friend to everyone he met. He never met a stranger in his life, just a friend he never talked to before. He was affectionately known as “grandpa” to children in the neighborhood and many other youth in the Dover community.

An avid Dover
sports fan, he could be found in attendance at many of their sporting events. He was a member of the First Moravian Church of Dover, the Dover VFW, Moose, and Eagles, the Sugarcreek American Legion and the Winfield Grange. After retirement, he was proud to serve as color guard at many military funerals throughout the area.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 9 at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 1, 2001 at 2 pm at the First Moravian Church of Dover at 319 N. Walnut Street. Following the service, interment will take place in Dover Burial Park where military graveside services will be held. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of John may sign the online register book by visiting the “online obituaries” link on our website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the WWII Memorial Fund, PO Box 96766, Washington DC 20090-6766, phone 800-639-4992