Kenneth D. Scheetz
Kenneth Dale Scheetz, 93, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
He was born July 17, 1930 on the family farm in Crawford Twp. to the late Paul Cornelius and Audra Eve (Levengood) Scheetz. His father was also born on the same farm, which was settled by his German immigrant ancestors. He attended grade school at Scheetz Ridge, a one-room schoolhouse. He was one of two students in his first-grade class, and was the Pennsylvania Dutch translator for his teacher as he could speak it fluently. He moved on to New Bedford School, and later graduated from Baltic High School as Class Valedictorian in 1948. He played roles in school plays at Baltic, and remained active as an alumnus, attending class reunions each year. He was a 10-year member of the New Bedford 4-H Club, with projects including dairy cows and hogs. He was a member of the Baltic High School Band, the Coshocton Co. 4-H Band, and the Coshocton Community Band, playing trombone.
Kenneth worked on the farm until joining the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1953, stationed in Japan. He was discharged from the Army Reserves in Sept. 1959. He was in the Signal Corp, and would set up telephone and communications as well as repair radar on ships. He was a rated marksman as well, and remained a life-long supporter of gun rights. Following his service time, he delivered bread for Nickles Bakery, and was an agent for Western & Southern Life Insurance. He worked for the former Cyclops Corp. (Cleveland Cliffs) as their first Quality Control Supervisor. He retired as the Hot Roll Coordinator in 1989, when it was known as Armco.
He married Joan Frances (Tyson) Scheetz on Feb. 2, 1952, who preceded him in death Sept. 5, 2022. Along with his wife he owned & operated Scheetz Tree Farm for many years. Their first trees were planted in the Spring of 1959, followed by the first harvest for Christmas in Dec. 1962. He was an active board member of the Ohio Christmas Tree Growers Association. Scheetz Tree Farm was honored to supply the Christmas tree for the Blue Room at the White House in 1996. As he was known to say, the tree farm kept him “out of the pool halls.”
Kenneth was the family photographer, a hobby learned from his dad. He owned many cameras and volunteered his talents for many weddings of family members and friends. In fact, he is absent from most family photos as he was typically the person behind the camera. He was a long-time attendee of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church, where he sang in church choir with his family, and also in a quartet.
He is survived by two sons, Donovan (Theresa) Scheetz of New Bedford, and Jonothan (Eva) Scheetz of Centerville; a daughter, Jane (Larry) Hartsock of Coshocton; seven grandchildren, Dustin Hartsock (Chad Bradford), Jacob (Angie) Hartsock, Jessalyn Ayon, Joanna (Johnnie) Moreland, Rebecca (Blake) Smith, Lucas (Valerie) Scheetz, and Emma Scheetz; eight great-grandchildren, Grant, Roth, & Knox Hartsock, Penelope Ayon, Joelle & Josiah Moreland, Vanessa Smith, and Colton Scheetz; several nieces and nephews; and his border collie, “Ruby”.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Merle (Thelma) Scheetz.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Prairie Chapel Methodist Church, with Pastor Matt Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Zion United Church of Christ Cemetery at New Bedford, with military rites performed by the Coshocton Co. Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard. Calling hours for Kenneth will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw is handling arrangements. FischerFuneralHome.com
Memorial donations may be made to Prairie Chapel Methodist Church, 45494 CR 23 Coshocton, OH 43812.
Category: Obituaries
