O. Dwight Birney

O. Dwight Birney, 85, of New Philadelphia, formerly of the Deersville area, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008 following a period of declining health. Born September 22, 1923, he was a son of the late James Earl and Bessie Olive (Auld) Birney.

Dwight was a 1941 graduate of Uhrichsville High School and a longtime member of the Deersville United Methodist Church where he held many leadership positions. Dwight owned and operated both Birney Tractor Sales and the Birney Insurance Agency for many years. Dwight was also a former Franklin Township trustee, a former Farm Bureau president, a Republican Party committeeman, and a Stitch and Stock 4-H advisor for many years. He took much joy in raising sheep.

On May 23, 1948, Dwight married Mary Louise Birney, of the home, who survives him. In addition to his wife, Dwight is survived by a daughter, Jeanne (Dick) Baker of New Philadelphia; son, Dave (Carla) Birney and Dwight’s granddaughters Jennifer and Allison Birney, all of Dover; and son John (Kathy) Birney and family of Tippecanoe; a sister Olive White of Tippecanoe; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dwight was preceded in death by a brother, James Birney and a sister, Dorothy Kidder.

A funeral service for Dwight, officiated by Pastor Joan Kuceyeski, will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 1:00 pm in the Deersville United Methodist Church at Deersville. Internment will follow at Deersville Patterson Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call for visitation in the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home at Dennison on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service. Those wishing to honor Dwight with a memorial contribution are encouraged to do so to the Deersville United Methodist Church, c/o Inez McKibben, 1041 Jefferson St. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740)922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com