Sara M. "Midge" Van Sickle

Sara M. "Midge" Van Sickle, age 90, a lifelong resident of Dover, died Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia.

Born November 26, 1923, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Harriet Frost Dowell. Midge graduated from Dover High School in 1941, and, on March 22, 1952, married Eugene R. Van Sickle. The couple reared three children and shared nearly forty-four years of marriage prior of Eugene's passing on February 16, 1996.

Midge was a member of the First United Methodist Church at Dover for eighty years and belonged to the church's Ruth Circle. She was also a member and Past Worthy Matron of New Philadelphia Chapter 222 Order of the Eastern Star. Midge loved to read, especially The Bible and historical works. She was fond of animals, and enjoyed the outdoors.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan M. Van Sickle of Akron; her two sons, Eugene Z. "Zach" (Michelle) Van Sickle of Dover, and Dale L. Van Sickle of New Philadelphia; her granddaughter, Sara; her step-great-grandchildren, Donnie, Preston and Reese; and her several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, and her husband, Eugene, Midge was preceded in death by her sister, Ida M. Handrich.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church at Dover, with Rev. Dave Kowaleski officiating. Burial will be in Dover's Ridgecrest Memory Gardens. Following the committal, there will be a meal in the church hall. Family and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday, 1 2 p.m. The New Philadelphia Chapter of the Eastern Star will conduct services Saturday at 12:45 p.m. in the church. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Midge, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Midge's memory be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1725 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622, or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.