Stephen A. Triplett

Stephen A. Triplett, 74, of New Philadelphia went home to the Lord, dying peacefully with his family at his side Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at Aultman Hospital in Canton. Born on December 5, 1938 in Kansas City, Kansas, Steve was the son of the late V.L. and Angela (Oldegering) Triplett. He graduated in 1956 from St. Francis DeSales High School in Newark, Ohio and attended Ohio University in Athens. On August 8, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart Rosemary (Gorius) Triplett and began a wonderful 54 year marriage blessed with many children and grandchildren who served as the centerpiece of his life. His greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren participate in a variety of activities. Steve and Rosemary traveled all over the area to watch thousands of basketball, baseball, softball, football, track, cross country and volleyball games and meets as well as countless plays and school events. Steve was also devoted to his job and employer, serving for 43 years as branch manager, district manager and regional manager for City Loan Financial, later known as Citigroup. Steve worked very hard and sacrificed greatly to enable Rosemary to be a stay-at-home mom while their children were young and to ensure their kids could attend Catholic schools and earn college degrees. All of his children graduated from college and returned to Tuscarawas County to raise their families to be close to their mom and dad. In addition to his five children, Steve helped raise three of his youngest siblings after the death of his mother. At the young age of 30, Steve was working full time and supporting a wife and eight dependents.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his father and mother in-law Bernard and Martha (Moats) Gorius, sisters Carole Stierhoff and Terry Davisson and a brother Tom Triplett.
His love, guidance and devotion will be greatly missed by his wife and five children; sons Jeff (Jackie) Triplett, Dave (Amy) Triplett and Greg (Jacquie) Triplett and daughters Chris (Jeff) Fondriest and Patty (Craig) Tolloti all residing in the Dover / New Philadelphia area; fourteen grandchildren, Kyle and Kendall Triplett, Lauren (Tyrone) Miller, Ryan (Kylie) Fondriest, Sam Fondriest, Jacob, Bennett and Molly Triplett, Max, James and Jenna Tolloti and Reagan, Jackson and Reese Triplett; two sisters, Mary (Tom) Peitz of Toledo, Ohio and Judy (Ted) Richardson of Westerville, Ohio; one brother Newt (Connie) Triplett of St. Mary's, Ohio; one brother-in-law Keith Stierhoff of Sandusky, Ohio; one sister-in-law Claudia Triplett of Newark, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews.
After moving his family to New Philadelphia from West Lafayette in 1974, Steve became a proud member of the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Athletic Booster Club. He enjoyed playing cards each week with other booster club members and cherished playing cards with his grandkids. Steve had a passion for Catholic education and Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saints athletics as well as Notre Dame Football. Upon retirement, Steve and Rosemary enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting many countries around the world.
Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, November 15th from 4 to 8pm at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday November 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia at 10:30am. Burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery in New Philadelphia and a reception will be held in St. Ambose Hall following the committal service at the cemetery. Those unable to attend may express fond memories of Steve by signing the on-line guest book at tolandherzig.com (obituaries and flowers) link.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School Tuition Assistance Fund or to the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Booster Club at 777 3rd Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.