Fern "Viola" Trubee
Age 100 of Millersburg died Sat. Dec. 10, 2011 in the Joel Pomerane Memorial Hospital in Millersburg. Known as Viola she was born May 18, 1911 in Brandt to Rollo Eldon and Fern Viola (Andrews) Harbaugh. She graduated from Bethel High School in Miami County in 1929 and from Cedarville College in 1933 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Education degrees. She started her teaching career as a substitute from 1933-1936. In 1936-1937 she taught fourth grade and third grade in Bethel Twp.
Viola married Franklin Trubee on Oct. 17, 1939 and moved to WV where Franklin had been serving in a Presbyterian Mission project. In 1940 the family moved to West Unity. From 1946-1951 while living in Minerva, she tutored students who came to her home. From 1951-1957 she was a substitute teacher in the Canton City Schools. From 1957-1966 she taught English for the Minerva Local School District. From 1966-1969 they lived in Delaware Co. and she taught humanities classes at Ridgedale High School in Marion County. She continued her career when the family moved a third time to Minerva, and in 1969 she taught English in the Minerva Junior High School until she stopped in 1981. She did not believe in being retired so she did not call it retirement.
She was an active member of the Minerva First Presbyterian Church where she had served several years as an elder and clerk of session 1977-1990, moderator of Presbyterian Women for a number of years, Hunger Action Enabler Muskingum Valley Presbytery until 1995. She was a member of Esther Chapter #120 Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron 1961-1962. She was active in the following groups where she served on the board of Stark County Hunger Task Force in 1996, was the first woman president of the Minerva Rotary Club in 1996, was a member of the Millersburg Rotary Club 1997-2008, Holmes County Branch of Retired Teachers 1997-2009, Minerva First Presbyterian Church and after her move to Millersburg in 1997 attended the First Presbyterian Church of Millersburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Franklin Trubee in May 31, 1996 and 2 sisters; Mary Scharff and Catherine Pyles. She is survived by son; Rev. Dr. Eldon (Bonnie) Trubee of Millersburg, grandchildren; Kenton James Trubee of Akron and Heather (Racine Marcus) Brown of Tampa, FL, siblings; Alta Lamb of Dayton, Margaret Woodhouse of Seattle, WA and John Harbaugh of Dayton.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held Sat. at 4:00 pm in the Minerva First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ben George officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services. Burial at a future date will be in the Studebaker Cemetery in Tipp City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Minerva First Presbyterian Church, Minerva Rotary Special Children's Fund or Camp Wakonda Presbyterian Church Camp Scholarships.