Dean W. Mizer

Dean W. Mizer, 79, of New Philadelphia, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Union Hospital in Dover after a period of declining health during which time he had been a resident of New Dawn Healthcare Center for the past several years, along with his wife. Born on November 26, 1932 near New Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Walter E. and Margaret Lucille (Rausch) Mizer.

After serving his country in the United States Army in the mid 50’s, Dean worked for a variety of area businesses, first in the local clay industry at Royal in Midvale, then at Marsh Lumber and Buchanan Shell for a time. His main career was as a heavy equipment operator for reclamation projects in area strip mining companies including Penn Ohio, Bill Hawk and the former Empire (Costain) Coal. He will be fondly remembered as the neighborhood mechanic and “Mr. Fix It” who was always ready, willing and able to help a friend in need with any kind of mechanical problems. Dean’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family, and he especially loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a longtime member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Dennison where he was very active in the life of his congregation until his health prevented him.

Dean’s surviving family includes his wife, the former Lucille Elizabeth Weaver to whom he was married on April 30, 1957 in Liberty, Ind.; daughters, Twila (James) Scott and Barb (Jeff) Davis of New Philadelphia; son, Gary (Kay) Mizer of New Philadelphia; brother, Ernie (Doris) Mizer of New Philadelphia; sisters-in-law, Florence Mizer of Brookfield, Ohio and Kay Mizer of New Philadelphia; six grandchildren, Jill (Robert) Mason, Tom (Michelle) Scott, Kathy (Mark) Burgan, John (Beth) Scott, Budd (companion, Angie Crihfield) and Anita Mizer; eight great-grandchildren, Marissa and Joshua Scott, Micah, Nathanael, Abigail and Hannah Mason, Mary Burgan and Zakary Mizer; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Glen and Dale Mizer.

Services for Dean, officiated by Pastor Ron Heasley, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow in Holmes Church Cemetery in Warren Township. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Those wishing to honor Dean’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.