William L. Rieger

William L. Rieger, 76, of Strasburg, known to family and friends as "Willie" or "Bill" died Thursday, May 21, 2015 in the Hennis Care Centre at Dover following a courageous five year battle with lung cancer. Even though those years were challenging, his good attitude and will to live endured.

Born September 16, 1938 in Strasburg he was a son of the late Conrad and Catherine Lab Rieger. Willie was also preceded in death by two infant brothers, James and Gregory Rieger.

He was a 1956 graduate of Strasburg High School where he played football, basketball and ran for the track team. Willie proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963 where he was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his service, he was employed at the Timken Co. in Canton where he retired after 34 years as a dedicated employee. Willie was a faithful member of St. John United Church of Christ in Strasburg where he was a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, council member, sang in the choir and served on numerous committees. In addition to the church, he was very active within the community, having served Strasburg and Franklin Township for 38 years as a member of the Strasburg Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout those years he held every business office and rank retiring as Fire Chief. He had been a member of the Tuscarawas County and Stark County Firefighters Associations, Strasburg Dramatic Club, and when his sons were young, he coached youth baseball for Teters IGA and Straubs Market. In his spare time Willie enjoyed being with his family, woodworking, hunting, fishing, sports, music and tinkering in his workshop. Willie was a devoted grandfather and enjoyed a special relationship with each grandchild. He left them a rich legacy of happy memories. His greatest joy was watching them participate in a variety of sports and activities.

A wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, Willie will be sadly missed by his wife of 55 years, Sue Zingery Rieger whom he married on October 4, 1959; sons, Kai (Rhea) Rieger of Massillon, Seth (Mary Ann) Rieger of Strasburg; grandchildren, Kevin, Kylie, Jeremy and Emily; step-grandchildren, Manning and Sydni Morris; brothers, John (Elaine) Rieger of Dover, Joe (Jan) Rieger of Louisville, Tom Rieger of Canton; sisters, Alice (John) Haswell of Strasburg, Mary Lou (Maurice) Lundenberger of Bolivar and Margaret "Peg" Ewing of Bolivar; brothers and sisters in law, Terry (Connie) Zingery, Greg (Janie) Miller all of New Philadelphia and Julie Hafner of New York, NY.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00 am in the St. John United Church of Christ at Strasburg with the Rev. Dr. Monte Canfield officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg where the Dover VFW will conduct military graveside services. Friends can call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover on Tuesday from 5-8 pm with a Last Alarm Service conducted by the Tuscarawas and Stark County Firefighters Associations starting at 4. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Willie may do so by visiting the online obituaries and flower link on the funeral homes website.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John United Church of Christ at 516 North Wooster Ave., Strasburg, Ohio 44680.