Gertrude E. Graham

Gertrude E. “Gertie” Graham, 83, a longtime Bolivar resident, died Tuesday, August 11, 2009 in Sterling House Assisted Living Center at Canton.

She was born January 31, 1926 at East Canton, the daughter of the late Harry P. & Stella Ritchey Betz.

For 17 1/2 years, Gertie worked as a press operator for Sparta Manufacturing/Flourocarbon.

A member of The Church of the Holy Trinity at Bolivar and previously the St. Stephen�(TM)s Catholic Church at Bolivar, Gertie was a woman of strong faith and conviction. The Bolivar community was very important to her. She established many friendships there, and, for many years, was a popular babysitter in town.

Gertie valued friendship. She was close to those she swam with in her tight-knit group in the Twinges & Hinges at the Tuscarawas County YMCA. Of her many talents, she loved knitting dishcloths �" thousands of them over the years! The dishcloths were a simple, personal way to say “thank you” any time a friend did anything for her or a loved one.

She was an excellent seamstress, and always had a great time playing games, including BINGO, at Sterling House.

Her family was at the heart of everything she did. She was an incredible mother to her children, a loving grandmother, and especially enjoyed playing the role of great-grandmother. In fact, her grandchildren were the only ones who were allowed to refer to her as “Grandma Trudie.”

Gertie loved ice cream. Perhaps a taste she acquired as a young woman working the lunch counter, making extra-thick malts for a young Navy sailor named Frank A. Graham. The two married on September 4, 1945 and spent 57 years as husband and wife before his passing on August 15, 2003.

She will be missed by surviving family members including: the couple�(TM)s three daughters, Gayle (Ken) Low of Raleigh, NC, Phyllis (James) Kline of Magnolia, and Lucinda “Cindy” (Randy) Bates of Perry Twp., Stark County; four grandsons and four granddaughters; and eight great grandchildren. Described as “just like a member of the family,” Gertie�(TM)s longtime neighbor and close friend, Mary Lou DeVore of Bolivar survives as well.

Later in life, Gertie became a bit of a dog lover, and was especially fond of her best canine friends, Phyllis and Cindy�(TM)s dogs, Casie, Molly, and Cody, who she leaves behind as well.

Along with her parents and husband, Gertie was preceded in death by an infant son, James Anthony Graham (Cindy�(TM)s twin), and her brother, Walter Betz.

Fr. Ed Keck will officiate a funeral mass that celebrates Gertie�(TM)s life on Saturday, August 15, at 10:30 a.m. in Church of the Holy Trinity, Bolivar. Burial will follow in Ft. Laurens Cemetery. Friends may call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Christian Wake services will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online guest book for Gertie by visiting the funeral home�(TM)s website.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Church of the Holy Trinity, 1835 Dover-Zoar Rd. NE, Bolivar, OH 44612.

Toland-Herzig
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com