Harold A. Backer 1931-2020

Mr. Backer was born Sept. 25, 1931, in Chehalis, Wash., the son of the late Milton A. and Mary G. (Wackerbarth) Backer.

Following high school, Harold served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He then furthered his education and earned a master’s degree in education. From 1958 to 1963, he served as a pastor at the United Missionary Church in Phillipsburg and at a church in Hollidaysburg, Pa.; from 1963 to 1968, he taught in the Beaver Local School District; and from 1968-1981, he taught in the Columbiana Village School District. Harold was self-employed from 1981 to 1984. Then, from 1984 until he retired in 1996, he worked with his wife in apartment maintenance in Bedford Heights and Bedford.

Mr. Backer was a member of the First Friends Church of Salem, where he served on the church board, taught Sunday school, and was an AWANA worker. He was also deeply involved with and attended the Lisbon Church of the Nazarene. In his spare time, Harold enjoyed woodworking.

His wife, Northa Lucille (Adams) Backer, whom he married Oct. 18, 1952, in Fairborn, preceded him in death Feb. 16, 2006.

Harold is survived by his daughters, Deborah Lynne (Dan) Eagan of Seven Valleys, Pa., Melody Ann (Rick) Mercer of Winona and Holiday Sue (Ken) Frost of Boardman; grandchildren, Matthew T. Mercer, Rick (Lynne) Mercer, Steve (Heather) Mercer and Kristy Frost; great-grandchildren, Chelsea (Ryan) Ivan, Chad, Jack and Luke Mercer; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home, with Rev. Brian Brown officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Lisbon Cemetery.

The family will receive guests from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home. Face masks must be worn and social distancing protocols will be observed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000, or to Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5022, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5022.

Friends may also view Harold’s memorial tribute page, share memories and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com.

(special notice)