Thomas Edward Myers

Thomas Edward Myers
63, went to be with his Lord on Feb. 10, 2013. He was born to Homer E. Myers and Maxine E. (Riggenbach) Myers on Jan. 29, 1950 in Canton, Ohio. He arrived a few days later to his beloved farm near Beach City that he would call home for nearly 55 years. He attended Fairless Schools and participated in band, history club, and National Honor Society, graduating in 1968. He attended Ohio State University and graduated from Kent State University in 1973 with a degree in education. He later earned a Master's Degree in counseling through Liberty University in Virginia. He enjoyed substitute teaching in many districts near his home. He participated in Lay Witness Mission sponsored by the United Methodist Church. Later he attended the Institute of Linguistics in Dallas, Texas and Moody Bible Institution Chicago in preparation for missionary work. Through these years, he was on summer staff at Camp Wanake near Beach City. He served with Overseas Missionary Fellowship in 1983 and 1984 in Singapore and Thailand. Returning to the U.S. he worked at Moody Monthly Magazine and taught various subjects at Christian High School in McHenry, Ill. Tom had the honor of being a founding charter member of Hyde Park Alliance Church in Chicago and then worshipped at Crystal Lake Evangelical Free Church at McHenry. He enjoyed the choir and singles ministry. In 1988 Tom began his full-time career as Spanish teacher in Cleveland. During several years he was a member of Willowby Hills Evangelical Friends Church where he was active in singles ministry and choir. He took a break from teaching to serve with Youth with a Mission in Montana from 1993 to 1995. This included an evangelical outreach to Ukraine. He then assisted in Christian counseling in northern Ohio, eventually obtaining a job as a Spanish teacher at Conotton Valley High School in 1999. In early 2005 he joined a team from Newcomerstown on a short term mission trip to Cuba. Then complications of a September 2005 bicycle accident resulted in an early retirement from Conotton Valley High School in December of 2008. Throughout his life, Tom considered Strasburg United Methodist Church his home church. Whenever he was near home, he worshipped there and served as Sunday school teacher and choir member. Tom enjoyed music, languages, hiking, and cross country skiing. He developed a huge passion for map drawing. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Homer; sister-in-law, Suzan M. Myers; and niece, Jennifer Sue Myers. 
He is survived by his mother, Maxine Myers of Dover, Ohio; brother, Stanley Myers of Mt. Solon, Va.; and sister, Marilyn Youngman of Trenton, Ill. Tom had three nieces and three nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. 
A memorial service will take place at the Strasburg United Methodist Church on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Lynda Masters officiating. Following the service, a meal will be served at the church. A private burial will take place at Welty Cemetery in Beach City, which is next to the farm where Tom grew up. Those unable to attend, or who would like to share a fond memory of Tom may do so by visiting the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Strasburg United Methodist Church, 206 2nd St. NW, Strasburg, Ohio 44680.