Harold “Butch” Morris Jr., age 83, of Dover, died Friday, December 13, 2024, in Ohio’s Hospice Truman House, New Philadelphia, following a brief illness.
Born February 5, 1941, in New Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Harold Morris and the late Zelda (Frantz) Morris Breehl Green. Butch graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1959, and, on February 3, 1962, married the former Elizabeth “Betsy” Gibbs, who survives. Butch was employed by the Shenango Penn Mold Co., Goshen Dairy and Dover Chemical Co. prior to embarking on a career as a custodian for Dover City Schools – a job he truly loved. He worked at Dover High, Dover Middle and Dover Avenue Schools before retiring after nearly 20 years of service.
Butch was a member of Dover’s Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and the former Dover Elks Lodge – later becoming a member of the New Philadelphia Elks. Some of his favorite pastimes included bowling, which he did for many years, playing fastpitch softball and working in the yard around his home. Butch also was an avid reader.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 62 years, Betsy; his sons, James H. (Lisa) and Thomas E. (Allison) Morris; his grandchildren, Maguire, Noah, Brody and Luke Morris; his sisters, Charold (Rich) Baer and Marcie (Michael) Scholl; his brother, Chuck Breehl; and his nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Butch was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Ann Elizabeth Morris, and his faithful dog, Mabel.
Butch will be cremated in accordance with his wishes. Family and friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory on Friday, December 20, 4 – 6 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 6, officiated by family friend, Larry Sams. His cremated remains will be buried later in Dover Burial Park.
Contributions honoring Butch’s memory may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 216 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622, or Truman House, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com