Jerry Slabaugh

JERRY SLABAUGH September 19, 1919 – June 16, 2005 Jerry Slabaugh, 85, of Massillon, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2005 following an extended illness. Jerry was born to Joseph and Anna (Yoder) Slabaugh on September 19, 1919 in Barrs Mills, Ohio. He spent his employment years as an owner/operator truck driver. At sixteen years old he began hauling coal and blasting powder around Dundee, Ohio. Then he switched to transporting steel from the Massillon/Canton area to Michigan. His trucks and trailers were purchased by himself and leased to the companies he worked for. These companies included Detroit and Pittsburgh Motor Freight, George F. Alger, Associated Truck Lines and White Star Trucking. He was a member of Teamsters Local 92, retiring in 1984. His trucking years were suspended during World War II when he entered Civilian Public Service in September 1941. His first assignment was a tree nursery at Camp Marietta, Ohio. From there he transferred to Glacier National Park in Montana, maintaining firebreaks and constructing various facilities in the park and surrounding national forest. Subsequently, he transferred to a commercial dairy farm in Wisconsin and finally to a camp in Northern California performing forestry services. He was discharged in the fall of 1945. During these years he made many lifelong friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers Monroe, Lando, and Henry and one sister Emma. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine (Karnes) Slabaugh, with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage June 10, 2005. Five children and their families survive: Terry of Powell, OH; Darlene (Gary) Gerber of Navarre, OH; Kathy (Rev. Rick) Crocker of Erie, PA; Judy (Rick) Shefelton of Canton, OH; and Jerry D. Jer of Massillon. Grandchildren include: Gretchen (Dwight) Kasler, Carrie (Joshua) Merrick, Jessica, Jared and Justin Crocker, Rachel and Marc Shefelton. Great grandchildren are Charis, Caden and Cambrie Kasler, MaKell, Korbin and Allyssa Merrick. Surviving are 4 sisters: Ella (Ralph) Dix, Ada Bailey, Betty (Jim) Tombow, and Dorothy (Jim) Brown; sister-in-law Sarah Slabaugh; and 5 brothers Roman (Irma) Slabaugh, Homer (Emma) Slabaugh, Freeman (Audrey) Slabaugh, Clarence (JoAnn) Slabaugh, Joseph Jr. (Betty) Slabaugh, and Harold (Helen) Slabaugh as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Raised in the Conservative Mennonite and Sippo Valley Brethren in Christ Churches, Jerry joined the Massillon First Church of the Nazarene in 1950 where he was still a member. For more than 44 years he served his church's Sunday school as a teacher, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He also served as a trustee on the church board and statistical secretary to the church treasurer. Over the years he transported many people to church services and vacation Bible schools. Family vacations included numerous fishing trips to Canada and a memorable trip to California. He was a faithful husband, devoted father and consistent spiritual example. Funeral services will be held on Monday June 20, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 14795 Wooster ST NW, North Lawrence, Ohio (NW corner of Alabama AVE and Wooster ST) with Reverend Rick Crocker officiating. Burial will take place at Pleasant View Cemetery. Friends may call at Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, Massillon, on Sunday from 2–4 PM and 6–8 PM and one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolences may be made at the funeral home’s website: http://www.arnoldlynch.com/. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131 (website: www.ncm.org) in Jerry’s name. Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home (330) 833-4839 A Golden Rule Funeral Home