Gene E. Espenschied

Gene E. Espenschied, 72, of Dover, died unexpectedly Friday, Jul. 15, 2011, in his home.

Born Jun. 22, 1939, in the family home on Ste. Rte. 516 N.W., just a half mile from where he presently lived, he was a son of Beatrice Mast Espenschied of Dover, and the late Leroy Espenschied. Gene graduated in 1957 from Dover High School where he played basketball, a sport he loved and followed all of his life. He was employed by Kent State University, Tuscarawas Campus, for over thirty-three years, retiring in, as Building and Grounds Superintendent. Always wanting to stay busy, Gene presently worked part-time for Chuck Nicholson GMC Truck Mazda, Dover.

Gene was an active member of Winfield United Methodist Church, and a devoted family man. He especially enjoyed doting on his grandchildren and following their school and sporting events. Gene loved automobiles and was fond of drag racing, he was a member of the NHRA, and raced at tracks around Ohio. Additionally, he and his wife, Dianna, liked to travel - to the American west in particular, and had completed "The Great Circle" of national parks.

Survivors include his wife, Dianna Vought Granato Espenschied, whom he married on Aug. 1, 1987; his daughter, Connie (Tim) Dennison of Strasburg; his son, Todd (Lisa) Espenschied of Hilliard; three step-sons, John (Yolanda) Granato of Las Vegas, Rob Granato of New Philadelphia, and Scott (Patty) Granato of Newcomerstown; ten grandchildren; two brothers, Keith "Shorty" (Ruth) Espenschied and Marion (companion, Michelle Mizer) Espenschied, both of Dover; several nieces and nephews.

Besides his father, Gene was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Lou Harmon.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory on Sunday (today), Jul. 17, 1 3 and 6 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday, Jul. 18, at 1:30 p.m., in the funeral home, with Randy Dessecker, Lay Minister of Winfield U.M. Church officiating. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Winfield Church. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Gene, please visit the Toland-Herzig website and click on Obituaries.

TOLAND-HERZIG
Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com