Lois F. Gordon

Lois Faye LeMasters Gordon, 83, of New Philadelphia passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Sunday morning, November 14, 2010.

Lois was born on August 22, 1927 in Holmesville, Ohio to the late Herman and Esther (Snyder) LeMasters. She was a 1945 graduate of Loudonville High School. On February 5, 1953, Lois and her three children married Roy D. Gordon and a wonderful family was created.

Their household was one filled with family, friends, and laughter. Seldom were there any empty chairs around their table as that was the location of many spirited conversations, card games, and delicious meals created by Lois who was an extraordinary cook and baker. That table was also the place where Lois could be found both day and night serving as mentor, advisor, and friend to her children, their friends, and later her grandchildren.

Lois was extremely proud of her more than 50 years of service with the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross. She started as a volunteer driver and quickly became certified to teach CPR and First Aid. She later became a member of the Board of Directors. She also served for several years as Executive Director prior to her retirement from the organization in 1997. Lois was a firm believer in volunteerism and taught her children and grandchildren the value of "giving back" to one's community.

She also enjoyed volunteering for Share-A-Christmas, the Tuscarawas County Council for Church and Community (T-4-C) Food Pantry, and Dress a Child.

She is survived by three children; Gary (Marge) Jentes of New Philadelphia, OH; Sherry (Don) Dogwiler of Cape Coral, FL; Diane (the late James) Schilling of New Philadelphia, OH; Six grandchildren; Jeff (Kathy) Jentes of New Philadelphia, Dr. Toby (Katie) Dogwiler of Dakota, MN, Laurel Borrero of Pickerington, OH, Stephen (Kim) Schilling of Dover, OH, Julie Schilling of Dover, OH, and Lisa (Brock Deetz) Schilling of Uhrichsville, OH; eight great grandchildren, Nathan Jentes, Hailey Jentes, Nyah Dogwiler, Nelson Borrero, Kylie Schilling, Michael Schilling, Cora Schilling, and Corbin James Schilling and one step great grandchild, Steven Pace. She is also survived by one sister, Dolores Loomis of Massillon, OH, one stepsister, Barb (Wayne) Stumbaugh, and one half sister, Ruth (Carl) Garnes all of Danville, OH.

In addition to her husband, Roy (with whom she celebrated fifty years of marriage on February 5, 2003), she is preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Helen LeMasters, a son in law, James Schilling, a brother in law, Larry Loomis, and a stepsister, Betty (Ott) Turske.

A funeral service celebrating Lois's life will be held Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 11am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover. Cremation will follow the services and she will be privately laid to rest in the Prairie Twp. Cemetery in Holmesville. A reception will follow the service at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Friends will be received Tuesday from 6-8pm in the funeral home. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Lois may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Lois's memory to Community Hospice, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, Ohio or the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1451 4th St. N.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com