Curtis E. “Houg” Walton

Curtis Eugene “Houg” Walton, 88, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 12, 2019 in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia.

A son of the late Henry and Gertrude (Kohler) Walton, Houg was born July 6, 1930 at Beitler, Ohio.

Houg attended Tuscarawas Schools and later he enlisted with the United States Army serving from 1948 to 1952. Then, on October 6, 1956 he married the love of his life, the former Betty Smitley, and they raised two daughters, Bonnie and Barb. The couple shared 44 years of marriage prior to Betty’s passing on October 31, 2000.

During his younger years, Houg was employed at U.S. Concrete. He then retired in 1996 from Resource America after 25 years of service. He enjoyed playing Bingo and playing cards, and especially enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their various events and activities.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Rick Kinsey of Uhrichsville; a son-in-law, Dennis English of Gnadenhutten; his grandchildren, Stacey (Mike) Stewart, Tony (Heather) Kinsey, Erica (Zeb) Troyer, Desiree (Matthew) Easterwood and Deidre (Benjamin) Mitsoff; and his great-grandchildren who lovingly called him “Old Papa”, Kaiden and Breyan Stewart, Haylee and Andrew Kinsey, Kyson and Krew Troyer, Maxwell, Anderson and Elliott Easterwood, Cristian Mazzae and Isley Mitsoff.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Frances Walton, Erma Walton, Neva Marsh and Shirley Richards; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hahn, Clarence (Shirley) Smitley and Dan (Robin) Smitley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Houg was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; a daughter, Barb English who passed away on April 12, 2014; his sisters, Thelma (Howard) McPeek and Joyce (John) Keffer; his brothers, Henry (Ginny), Fred and Russ Walton; his sisters-in-law, Libby Hahn, Marge (Henry) Menapace and Dorothy (Bob) Waller; and brothers-in-law, Tom (Clara) Smitley and Jerry Marsh.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 5 to 8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Houg’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11 AM in the funeral home with Pastor Brian Flood officiating. Following the service, Houg will be laid to rest alongside Betty in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover. A luncheon will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia following the committal service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Houg’s memory to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.