David Edward Struchen

David Edward Struchen, 79, of New Philadelphia, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from the Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Truman House, after a long period of declining health. Born August 14, 1944 in Dennison, he was the son of the late Ira “Spatsie” and Erma (Kohl) Struchen.

Dave grew up in Gnadenhutten and was a 1962 graduate of Gnadenhutten High School before attending Wilmington College. In addition to his career with the Ohio Department of Transportation, from which he retired in 2011 after nearly 20 years of employment, he served his country in the Army Reserves with the Dennison Railroad Battalion.

Dave was a longtime member of Park Christian Church in Dennison where he had served as a deacon and as an assistant Scout Master of Troop #422, as well as a Webelos Leader. In recent years, he also enjoyed attending Pleasant Valley Church at Tappan Lake in the summers. He coached and managed Little League teams for many years, was an avid golfer – having enjoyed playing in the Senior League at Five Waters Golf Course until his health prevented him, loved playing card games of all kinds, enjoyed deer hunting, and was a sports enthusiast and fan of the OSU Buckeyes and all the Cleveland teams, especially enjoying attending Browns games with his family in the season ticket seats they had since 1999. He was a dedicated Claymont Sports Booster and had many fond memories of the annual trips he made with his father-in-law, Dick Maxwell, to the OHSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament. Most of all, Dave treasured the time that he spent with his family, whether spending summers camping at Tappan Lake over the past 30 years or supporting his grandchildren in all of their activities – no matter how far they had to travel to be there for them.

On June 25, 1967, Dave married the former Sherill L. Maxwell who survives him along with their children, Richard (Heidy) Struchen and Haelee (Jim) Wallick, and grandchildren, Kylar and Paige Struchen, and Jared, Jaden, and Jana Wallick. He is also survived by his brothers- and sister-in-law, Bob Gribble, and Mike and Rhonda Clark; nieces and nephews, Darcy and Craig Melzer, Wende and John Lance, Tara Lewis, and Maggie Clark; uncle and aunt, Ron and Bette Kohl; and many cousins, including Bill Kohl with whom he was especially close. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Bonnie Gribble, nephew, Casey Clark, and father- and mother-in-law, Dick and Alma Maxwell.

Pastor Dave Bryan and Pastor Michael Cunningham, Jr. will officiate a 5:00 p.m. celebration of life service on Friday, May 3, in the sanctuary of Park Christian Church in Dennison where his family will receive callers from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Valley Church, 35500 Cadiz-Dennison Rd., Scio, OH  43988, Park Christian Church, 236 Miller Ave., Dennison, OH  44621, and Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Truman House, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH  44663.