Tim Stone

With a very heavy heart, we share the sudden and peaceful passing of Timothy Stone on April 29, 2025.
Born June 13th, 1952, and raised in Zoarville, Ohio, Tim graduated from Tusky Valley High School in 1970 and went on to serve with pride and honor in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Sierra. The motto of the Sierra was "the ship with the helping hands," and following his military service, Tim returned home to become a true helping hand in the Tuscarawas County community as a deeply devoted and trusted businessman, public servant, and volunteer.
He continued his family's tradition as a co-owner and operator of historic Ehlers General Store, originally a Zoar Society store established in 1862. Tim worked tirelessly to meet and exceed the needs of his customers and was greatly admired for his ability to engage instantly with anyone and bring a smile to their face. It was with this charisma that so many came to love Tim as a larger-than-life character. His never-ending positivity and upbeat attitude were matched with his famous whistle that echoed throughout the aisles and floors of the building.
After the closing of Ehlers in the late 1990's, Tim served for decades more as an employee at the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where he loved his co-workers, running his twice-daily bus route, and serving as a staff member in the workshop. In perhaps his most important role, Tim provided care, compassion, kindness, and friendship to hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Tim was a natural teacher and mentor. For many years, he filled his evenings and weekends as an in-car driver's education instructor, helping hundreds of teens throughout the county learn the rules of the road, practice for the difficult maneuverability test, and earn their license.
Tim also managed to find time as an active member of the Mineral City American Legion, Tuscarawas Valley Ruritans and as a volunteer for the Village of Zoar. Any remaining time was devoted to helping friends, neighbors, and family with a move, a car tune-up, an appliance fix or any other problem he could help with, never asking for anything in return. He greatly enjoyed meeting for early morning breakfasts and conversation with his most trusted friend, Albert Demattio of New Philadelphia.
Tim leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years, Carla (Hawkins), with whom he shared a lifetime of love and commitment. He was the best father imaginable to his two children, Rebecca and Matthew and the proudest "Papa" to his grandchildren Penelope, Amelia, and Christopher, who brought him his greatest joy.
In addition to his wife and children, Tim is survived by his sister Martha (Ray) Nist, brother David, son-in-law Bryan Buss, daughter-in-law Roseanne Fry and his cherished nieces and nephews: Heather (Joel) Weisel, Andrew (Sara) Nist, and Gregory Nist.
Tim is preceded in death by his parents Sterling and Emma Stone and his sister-in-law Karen (Beans) Stone.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 PM on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Lebold-Smith Funeral Home in Bolivar. A memorial service will begin at 6:00 PM with Pastor Dick Harvey officiating. Following services a luncheon will be held at the Zoar Community Center, hosted by the family. Burial at Zoar Cemetery will be held at a later date with military honors.. To share a memory, please visit the funeral home's web site.
In honor of Tim's legacy and his love for his community, memorial contributions can be made to the Tusky Valley Ruritan Scholarship Fund.
Tim's lifetime of service to his nation, his community, and his family will never be forgotten, and we celebrate a life well lived for a great man we were most fortunate to have known.