Virginia "Ginny" Stephenson

Virginia Warther (“Ginny”) Stephenson of New Philadelphia, passed away on August 10, 2026, following a period of declining health. Ginny was born in Dover, Ohio, on August 5, 1935, and was the daughter of Theodore Jerome (“Jim”) Warther and Wanda Zeigler Warther. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard Lee Stephenson.

Ginny is survived by daughters Ann Wesley Stephenson, Carol Wesley Stephenson and Elizabeth Wesley Stephenson (Paul McEwan). She is also survived by nine grandchildren: John Hamilton Stephenson II (Mollie), Sarah Elizabeth Frutchey (Samuel), Alexander Stephenson Bullock, Meredith Lee Bullock, James Wesley Bullock (Jamie Johnson), William Talbot McEwan III (Taylor), Robert Alan McEwan (Sara-Leena), Richard Stephenson McEwan and Kathleen Forbes McEwan. She is further survived by eight great-grandchildren: Blair Wesley Stephenson, Evelyn Marie Stephenson, Warren Lee Stephenson, Bray Edward Stephenson, Johann Robert Frutchey, Finnley Robert Frutchey, Benjamin Michael McEwan and Emma June McEwan.

Ginny was preceded in death by two children, Robert Richard Stephenson II (Sally) and Donna Stephenson Berndt (Edward), and son-in-law Eric Kimple (Ann).

Ginny was a member of the New Concord (OH) High School graduating class of 1953. She served as president of The Ohio State University Law School Wives Association and was active in Tuscarawas County Bar Association Law Wives. Additionally, she was active in the Union Hospital Auxiliary “Twig 3”, and she served as a local solicitor for the American Cancer Society for several years.

In keeping with Ginny’s wishes, there will not be a formal funeral service. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a modern wake at the Geib funeral home in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on Friday, August 14th, from 5 PM to 8 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Philadelphia City Schools’ Quaker Foundation for the benefit of the Stephenson family scholarship (P.O. Box 627, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663) or to Ohio’s Hospice (716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663).

*The obituary was loving written by Ginny's family