Obituary for Kenneth Newlon
Kenneth Marshall Newlon
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with a pulmonary disease. Ken was born on Dec. 17, 1925 to the late Roy and Ruth Newlon of Grafton, W.Va. He graduated from Grafton High School in West Virginia, earned his Bachelor's degree from Fairmont State College and his Master's degree from West Virginia University. Ken was a decorated World War II Veteran serving in the U. S. Air Force as a tail gunner in Europe. Ken was an outstanding teacher and coach for 34 years. His career started at Stone Creek High School where he worked seven years and continued at Strasburg High School (two years), Canton Lincoln High School (20 years), and Canton McKinley Senior High School (five years). Ken received many coaching honors including: Ohio High School Coach of the Year 1980-81 season, elected in the inaugural class to the Ohio Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987, Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, Lincoln Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and J. Babe Stearn Community Center Hall of Fame Award in 2011. His basketball teams won nine District titles and two Regional titles. His career record was 527 wins and 227 losses. In addition to his basketball successes, he also served as head baseball and track coach at Lincoln High School, was a well respected high school and college football official, and was a baseball umpire for many years.
Ken was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Betty, of 56 years and his son, Kenneth Marshall Newlon II. Ken is survived by his sister, Frances Bock, of Pennsylvania; three children, Bob (Terry) Newlon of Perry Township, Linda (Dave) Pfeiffer of Jackson Township, and Roy (Katie) Newlon of Perry Township. Ken leaves behind eight grandchildren, Chris (Elaina) Newlon, Heather (Jason) Heater, Keith Newlon, Helena (Doug) Lautensleger, Chad Pfeiffer, Ryan Pfeiffer, Drew (Noelle) Newlon, and Kristy Newlon. There are also 10 great-grandchildren, Sophia, Maria, Chase, Grady, Cameron, Joel, Reese, Grant, Addy, and John. Ken is also survived by his loving companion, Mary Snyder.
Ken's family would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and support staff at Aultman Hospital and the Aultman Compassionate Care Center.
Ken's funeral will be officiated by Rev. Dwight Mason of NewPointe Community Church. Rev. Mason is a former player of Coach Newlon at McKinley High School. The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Reed Funeral Home Canton Chapel. Interment to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Calling hours will be Friday 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Ken's family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Aultman Health Foundation.