Doc Householder

Ira Eugene "Doc" Householder, 94, of Barnesville, Ohio passed away on December 27, 2022 at WVU Barnesville Hospital.  He was born on December 14, 1928 in Salesville, Ohio, a son to the late Otis and Chloe Householder.  His family moved to Quaker City where he graduated from Quaker City High School in 1949.  He then moved to Barnesville where he began his professional career working for Moore’s Store.  After 23 years with Moore’s, he then purchased the Western Auto store which he continued to manage until 1992.  In 1974, he opened Householders Furniture which stayed in business until 1998.  For more than 50 years, Doc has been a valued member of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club.

Doc was at the first Barnesville Fall Festival meeting where he soon became President.  His involvement, along with the festival committee, helped the small Fall Festival grow to one of the largest Pumpkin festivals in the state of Ohio.

Doc started the Belmont County Tourism Council in 1983.  He served on the Board of Directors and then was hired as the Executive Director.  He held this position for 28 years until his retirement in April 2017.  As Director, he was instrumental in bringing the Ohio Lottery Cash Explosion television show to the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.  Along with the Tourism Council and Belmont County Commissioners, Doc helped to organize the renovation of the former sheriff’s residence to become a historical museum to display artifacts for Belmont County residents to view.

Doc was passionate about his community and county and worked tirelessly and successfully to promote Belmont County as a prime tourist destination until he retired at the age of 88.  He happily resided at the Walton Home for several years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two lovely wives, Rosemary (Miller) Householder of 58 years, followed by Ruth (Smith) Householder until her passing in 2017; sisters, Madgel Gray and Edith Murphy; and brother, Euril Householder.

Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Tony (Debbie) Householder and Tom (Valerie) Householder, both of Barnesville; grandchildren, Jamie (Eben) Beierle, Lynn (Chuck) Glenn and Sarah Lansing (Peter Cabe), Matthew Householder, Eric Householder, Zachary Householder, John (Sarah) Householder, and Chelsea Householder plus several great-grandchildren.

Friends and Family are encouraged to visit on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm at the Wilson Funeral Home, Barnesville Chapel, 702 East Main Street, Barnesville, Ohio 43713.  The funeral service will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the funeral home at 11am with Pastor Bob Willits officiating.  Burial to follow at the Crestview Cemetery in Barnesville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walton Home, 1254 East Main St., Barnesville, Ohio 43713.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doc Householder, please visit our floral store.