Curtis Eugene “Houg” Walton
Curtis Eugene “Houg” Walton, age 88 of New Philadelphia, died peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia.
A son of the late Henry and Gertrude (Kohler) Walton, Houg was born July 6, 1930, in Beitler, Ohio.
Houg attended Tuscarawas Schools, and later he enlisted with the United States Army, serving from 1948-52. Then on Oct. 6, 1956, he married the love of his life, the former Betty Smitley, and they raised two daughters, Bonnie and Barb. The couple shared 44 years of marriage prior to Betty’s death on Oct. 31, 2000.
During his younger years, Houg was employed at U.S. Concrete. He then retired in 1996 from Resource America after 25 years of service. He enjoyed playing Bingo and playing cards and especially enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their various events and activities.
Houg is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Rick Kinsey of Uhrichsville; a son-in-law, Dennis English of Gnadenhutten; his grandchildren, Stacey (Mike) Stewart, Tony (Heather) Kinsey, Erica (Zeb) Troyer, Desiree (Matthew) Easterwood and Deidre (Benjamin) Mitsoff; and his great-grandchildren who lovingly called him “Old Papa,” Kaiden and Breyan Stewart, Haylee and Andrew Kinsey, Kyson and Krew Troyer, Maxwell, Anderson and Elliott Easterwood, Cristian Mazzae, and Isley Mitsoff.
Houg also is survived by his sisters-in-law, Frances Walton, Erma Walton, Neva Marsh and Shirley Richards; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hahn, Clarence (Shirley) Smitley and Dan (Robin) Smitley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Houg was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; a daughter, Barb English, who died on April 12, 2014; his sisters, Thelma (Howard) McPeek and Joyce (John) Keffer; his brothers, Henry (Ginny) and Fred and Russ Walton; his sisters-in-law, Libby Hahn, Marge (Henry) Menapace and Dorothy (Bob) Waller; and brothers-in-law, Tom (Clara) Smitley and Jerry Marsh.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 5-8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Houg’s life will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Brian Flood officiating. Following the service, Houg will be laid to rest alongside Betty in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover. A luncheon will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia, following the committal service.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Houg by visiting the funeral home's website at www.geibcares.com.
Contributions may be made in Houg’s memory to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.