Charles Eugene Arth

1914 - 2009

Charles Eugene Arth, 94, a resident of the Riverside Apartments, Newcomerstown, since 2004, formerly a lifelong farmer in Salem Township (Wolf Station), passed away on Wednesday evening, May 20, in Union Hospital, Dover.
Charles was born in Salem Township, Tuscarawas County, on Nov. 3, 1914, the youngest of 10 children of Jacob P. and Carolina May Arth. Charles graduated from two different high schools. He graduated from Stone Creek High School, class of 1933, after three years and played center on the basketball team. He then graduated from Newcomerstown High School in 1934 after completing his fourth year of high school. Charles was a sheep and beef farmer in Salem Township for all his adult life. He was a member of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service and served the ASCS for over 20 years as a central committeeman. Charles also belonged to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Port Washington, the Buckhorn Grange, Salem Township, and the Pomona Grange, Tuscarawas County. He also belonged to State Grange and the National Grange. Charles also belonged to the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau and served on its Federation Board.
His favorite pastime was playing country music on his Hohner Accordion, especially during the last few years. In his younger years, he also played guitar in the Leroy Rausch Orchestra. Along with his son, Richard, he was a founding member of the Hand Picked Band, which has been playing for square dances since 1967. He retired from this band at the age of 85. Charles still played the accordion every day and entertained neighbors at the Riverside Apartments and residents of Riverside Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Charles was the last member of his generation of the Arth family. He was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, Emma Geib and Aaron Arth of Redlands, Calif., Ethel Grosenbacher of Tuscarawas, Homer Arth of Port Washington, and twins Clara and Cora Arth, Verna Wallace, Ira "Bud" Arth, and Herman Arth, all of Newcomerstown.
Charles is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis J. Milligan Arth of Newcomerstown, whom he married on Aug. 20, 1949. He also leaves two sons, Richard E. "Dick" and Patty A. (Lahmers) Arth and Donald C. Arth, all of Newcomerstown; eight grandchildren, including Suzanne (Mrs. Darren) Galbraith of Newcomerstown, and David R. Arth of Miami Beach, Fla.; and four great-grandsons, including Holden L. Galbraith of Newcomerstown; a sister-in-law, Helen Schumacher Arth of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services to celebrate Charles' life will be Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m. in the Ourant Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. Robert E. Buckley will conduct the services.
Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery, Salem Township. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Friday evening (tonight), 6 until 8 p.m., and on Saturday morning from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral.
The family is requesting that memorials be made in Charles' name to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 36, Port Washington, 43837.
Ourant
(740) 498-6422