Paul J. Locker, Sr.

Paul J. Locker, Sr., 68, of Somerdale, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in his home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 29, 1934, in Canton, he was a son of the late Clem and Gertrude Grund Locker. Paul attended Dover High School, and served honorably in the United States Army. While in the service of his country, he worked as an instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Upon his discharge, Paul became an ironworker, and for thirty-three years was a member of Ironworkers Local 550, Canton. He retired from Whitacre Engineering, also at Canton, in 1989, after working there seventeen years.

Paul was the stadium announcer, “The Voice of the Vikings,” for the former Tuscarawas County Vikings professional football team. Very community-minded, he served with the Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Dept. for thirty years, and eight years as a member of the Tuscarawas Valley School Board.

Paul was a former member of the Sherrodsville United Methodist Church; member of Loyal Order of Moose at Uhrichsville, and the Bolivar Sportsman�(TM)s Club. He enjoyed the outdoors and liked fishing, game-hunting and hunting mushrooms. Paul was a great NASCAR fan; his favorite driver was Number 3, Dale Earnhardt.

Survivors include his wife, the former Sherry “Shorty” Barkheimer, whom he married on Feb. 11, 1994; a daughter, Kim (Terry) Barthelmeh of Dover; a step-daughter, Shelly (Paul) Gray of Canton; four sons, Paul Jr. (Anna), Leroy and Kevin Locker, all of Somerdale, and Terry Locker of East Sparta; two step-sons, Donald (Cristina) Mansfield of New Philadelphia, and Brian Daugherty of Somerdale; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marlene Meyer and Faye (Bill) Lawver, both of New Philadelphia, Shirley (Paul) Cromley of Uhrichsville, and Pauline Steineck of Mineral City; four brothers, Ray (Marie) Locker of Dover, Robert (Adair) Locker of Canton, James (Frances) Locker of New Philadelphia, and Clem (Ruth) Locker of Dover; numerous nieces and nephews; and his devoted canine friend, Sadie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five sisters, Jean Fry, Eva Hicks, Alma Lundenberger, Dorothy Burchfield and Agnes Lechner; four brothers, John, Dan, Russ and Charles Locker.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at 11 a.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, 246 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, with Pastor Peter Price of St. Matthew�(TM)s Community Church, Mineral City, officiating. Burial will be in New Cumberland Cemetery, where the Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Dept. will conduct services, and the Dover post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will present military rites. Following the committal, there will be a meal in the Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Somerdale. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, 1-3 and 6-8 p.m., and Saturday, 10-11 a.m., in the funeral home. To sign the online register and share a fond memory of Paul, please visit the funeral home�(TM)s Website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas Co., Inc., 201 W. Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.

Toland-Herzig, New Philadelphia
330-343-8131
www.tolandherzig.com