Vernon A. Littleton

Vernon A. Littleton, 77, of Dover died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at his home. A son of the late Theodore and B. Pearl Ault Littleton, Vernon was born on April 20, 1933 and was a life long resident of Dover. A 1951 graduate of Dover High School, he was an Army veteran, member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dover Knights of Columbus and the Dover Moose Lodge.

He held several jobs during his teenage years culminating in employment at the Reeves Steel Mill during his senior year at Dover High. He then was employed for 13 years at the US Ceramic Tile Co. in East Sparta, where his job responsibilities included setting and unloading kilns, Quality Control Inspector, Sorting Department Foreman, Night Maintenance Supervisor and Assistant Night Superintendent.

In 1964 he was hired as Commercial Artist for Tusco Grocers, Inc. in Dennison. His initial duties included ad layout, store logo designs and sign painting. Within two years he assumed the duties of Director of Advertising and Printing Department Manager. During his ensuing years at Tusco he held a variety of management positions including Maintenance Supervisor, Administrative Assistant, Project Engineer, Facilities Engineer and Vice President of Warehousing and Transportation. He was also instrumental in the reorganization of Tusco Grocers after the bankruptcy and closing of the former Associated Grocers. He retired from Tusco Grocers/Associated Grocers on April 20, 1995 after 31 years of service.

Approximately two years after retiring from Tusco, he was hired on a part time basis for building maintenance of the St. Joseph Catholic Church as a caretaker of Calvary Cemetery and the Sixth St. Cemetery. On April 20, 2008 he once again entered full retirement, but still offered minor assistance with maintenance and preparations for holy events and other activities.

He is survived by his wife Elena Gastaldo Littleton; daughter, Tawnya Nanashe of North Canton; sons, Rod (Whitney) Littleton of Uhrichsville and V. Douglas (Evelon) Littleton of Dover; step daughter, Gloria (Bob) Moss of Mineral City and step son, Michael (Kelly) Sullivan of Birmingham, Alabama. Other survivors include two brothers, Pete ((Renata) Littleton of Newcomerstown and Ed (Betty) Littleton of Dover; three grandchildren, Brandi McKee, Miles Littleton, Kyle (Ashley) Littleton; six step grandchildren, Reid Valentine, Rebekah Moss, Rachel Moss, Mitch, Clay and Riley Sullivan; five great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren; brothers in law, Frank (Ebe) Gastaldo of Rome, Italy and Robert Gastaldo of Schoenbrunn; former wife, Doris Littleton of New Philadelphia and numerous nieces and nephews complete the immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a son, daughter, two sisters and two brothers.

In keeping with Vernon's wishes there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 11:00 am in the St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. William Arnold and Fr. Matt Hoover officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery at Dover. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover are handling arrangements. Following the burial a reception will be held at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Vernon may do so by visiting the on line obituaries link on the funeral homes website.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to the Dover Moose Lodge.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com