Harry C. Ekey

Harry C. “Curt” Ekey, 69, of New Philadelphia, died Monday, November 24, 2008 in Union Hospital at Dover.A son of the late Harry and Audrey (McCullough) Ekey, Curt was born September 11, 1939 at East Springfield, Ohio.Curt graduated in 1957 from Springfield High School at Jefferson County. In 1959, he enlisted with the United States Army and served over seas in Germany and France before receiving his honorable discharge in 1961.He was once a driver’s license examiner at Wintersville, Ohio before accepting a position with the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service. He served 30 years with the ASCS, seven of those as the District Director and 23 years as a County Executive Director. He was a member of the Tuscarawas Agricultural Society and for eight years, Curt served as the Tuscarawas County Fairboard Director. During his career, he also received many administrative awards from the USDA.Curt loved sports, especially the Ohio States Buckeyes and NASCAR. He enjoyed traveling, riding his BMW trike and just being outdoors. Most of all, he loved being a grandfather.He is survived by his daughters, Julie Baker and Valerie (Dan) Dieter both of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Tanner, Alexandra and Danielle Dieter; two step grandchildren, Andrew and David Dieter; a sister, Audrey (John) Paul of Minneapolis, Minnesota and two nephews, Doug (Kristi) Paul and Jeff (Karla) Paul both of Minneapolis. Friends may call on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Curt’s life will follow at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home websites.