Harold Oberlin

On Oct 7, 2020, Harold Benjamin Oberlin, born May 11, 1925 (age 95), left for vacation ahead of us. We will be meeting him in eternity at each of our assigned times. Planning memories was very important to Dad, and he surely saved the best plans for last. Harold (Ben) leaves behind his first true love, wife Josephine, whom always greeted him with kind words and a smile. Even though their courtship was only 2 months, their love and affection lasted almost 70 years. We believe much of his efforts to hold on at the end, was his insistence on reaching their 70th anniversary on Oct 14th. His second true love was his huge family, especially his children- Debra, David, Bruce (Shela), Ben (Donna), Rachelle (Tom) and Renee (Tim), who all hold dear memories of their father. Though Josephine was an only child, together they are responsible for dramatically increasing Akron's population, with 6 children, 18 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and still growing. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Harold Vincent and Susan Oberlin; and his beloved sisters Charlotte Oberlin, Evelyn (George) Nielsen, Winifred Lipps, and Donna (Josiah) Welch. Harold was born and raised in Akron, OH, where he attended Voris Grade School and Garfield High School. He served 3 years in the U.S. Navy, where he spent the duration stationed stateside. Throughout his life, he worked at Morgan Adhesive, Firestone, and finished out his career at Akron General Hospital. To support his family, he often worked 2 jobs, working many years at the Akron Beacon Journal. Harold and his wife Josephine made a good team, and together they had an entrepreneurial spirit. They enjoyed real estate investing and ventured business ideas, including a wholesale jewelry company. He was interested in social organizations, and was a longtime member of the Stow Lion's Club. Harold was also the oldest member of Akron Cornerstone Church. Some of our best memories of Dad are: -Regular road trip vacations to Niagara Falls; Deep Creek, MD; Pittsburg, PA; Newburyport, MA; Southbound vacations with no destination until the money ran out; and many more -Falling asleep watching TV in his favorite blue chair while hot dogs burned on the stove -Bragging to friends and strangers alike about his wife and how young she looks for her age -Greeting everyone with a hug and his world renowned sloppy cheek kiss -Hoarding cookies, butter packets, and napkins -Meeting lifelong friends at the Main St. and Waterloo Rd. donut shop including the Arlington Rd. McDonald's. -Slipping money to people in need -Chewing each bite of food 40 times...even applesauce! -His vice grip, and undefeated arm wrestling record -His ferocious appetite (that he passed down to all of us) and eating marathons at buffet restaurants -His love of Hartville Kitchen Restaurant and the Hartville Flea Market -His kitchen rag and spending large amounts of the day wiping the counter -His ability to live without drinking water FOR YEARS -His steel trap memory. He could recall details and names since childhood -Repeating the important things (everything) 3TIMES We forgot to mention! This vacation is available for all of you. Pack light; leave it all behind, Harold’s waiting. You won’t be disappointed...You won't be disappointed...You won't be disappointed! Due to COVID, we will be holding an intimate memorial gathering, which unfortunately will be limited to immediate family members only.