Jeffrey R. Artzner

Jeffrey Robert Artzner, 69, reached the end of his journey on October 29, 2018 after a year struggling with the aftermath of several strokes. Jeff was born on September 23, 1949 at the third expansion of the old Mercy Hospital on Market Ave in Canton OH, the former site of President McKinley’s home. Jeff was number three of seven children. His life was full of color and adventure. As a boy he developed interests in chess and was a champion at tetherball. As a young man he played chess-by-mail while working various jobs through high school, saving his money to travel Europe and North Africa on “The Grand Tour” after graduating from Lehman High School in 1967. Upon return from Europe, Jeff studied at Akron University acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Jeff was married to Sue Belden for 17 years beginning in 1973. At that same time he took up studying the philosophies of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism, while teaching at Raedel College and working for Canton City Income Tax Department. He studied and worked for decades on his own translation of The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Jeff also became a scholar of the teachings of Alan Watts and Watts’ eastern philosophies. Eventually Jeff traveled again, this time to Japan where he taught English, and to California where he helped manage a crematorium. In the ensuing years Jeff developed passions for old movies, Stark County History, and the railroad industry. Alert until a year ago, Jeff was able to recount in detail any story about any of these three subjects. Jeff was brilliant, kind, witty, and lived a full life. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents James and Patricia (Wolf) Artzner. Jeff will be most sorrowfully missed by his surviving siblings: Rick Artzner and his wife Pam (Clay), Pam (Artzner) Haren, Mark Wolf-Armstrong and his wife Margaret Coon, Greg Artzner and his wife Terry Leonino, Mari Barbara Artzner-Wolf, Amy (Artzner) Barr, and her husband Mike Barr, Jeff’s many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and his Sue. The family wishes to thank Crossroads Hospice and Hanover House for their gentle care of their brother Jeff. In lieu of calling hours please send condolences through Wackerly Funeral Home’s website or mail cards to Wackerly Funeral Home, 1375 Market Avenue North, Canton OH 44714. www.wackerlyfuneralhome.com

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