William M. Dreher

William M. "Bill" Dreher, 89, a lifelong resident of Strasburg died Friday, March 29, 2013 in Park Village at Dover following a brief illness.

Bill served as Mayor for the Village of Strasburg for 18 years and village council. He retired in 1984 from Republic Steel Company in Canton and was a brick mason by trade.

He was born June 25, 1923 in Strasburg, the son of the late Louis P. and Edna (Bach) Dreher. He was also preceded by a son, Kenny; three sisters, Margaret "Peg" Samsa, Pauline Beers, and Pearl Jones and five brothers, Carl, Herb, Wilson "Bud", Bob and Jim Dreher.

Bill was a longtime member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Strasburg where he previously served on the church council. He was a Life Member and Past Commander of the Charles Hofer Post of the American Legion at Strasburg, Life Member of the New Philadelphia VFW and the Commanders Club of the D.A.V.. He was also chairman of the Strasburg Memorial Day festivities for several years. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was an avid Strasburg Sports fan and enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing an occasional round of golf and the most joy in his life was spending time with his grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by his family including his wife, Vivian (Barnhart) Dreher with whom he would have celebrated 67 years of marriage on June 15; three children, Lewis (Sally) Dreher, Lynnea (Karl) Thomas, and Charles (Karen) Dreher all of Strasburg and his daughter in law, Kathy Plunkett of New Philadelphia; eleven grandchildren Kara Dreher, Kris Dreher, Mindy Dreher, Nathan (Jenn) Dreher, Josh (Nancy) Thomas, Seth (Jamie) Thomas, Damian (Lindsay) Thomas, Clay Thomas, Tyler (Brittany) Dreher, Travis (Courtney) Dreher, Trevor (Sarah) Dreher and Tanner Dreher; eleven great grandchildren, Aiden "A.J.", Kameron, Deacon, Aubrey, Zane, Garrett, Violet, Riley, Lydia, Grant "G.W.", and Landyn.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2013 beginning at 11am in the First Eva. Lutheran Church at Strasburg with Pastor Karen Biggerstaff officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg where the Strasburg American Legion and New Philadelphia VFW will conduct military honors. Friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover on Monday from 4-7pm and at the church Tuesday from 10-11am. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Bill may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 211 8th St. S.W., Strasburg, Ohio 44680 or Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
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