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Paul Philip Headland

SALEM — Paul Philip Headland, 75, of Salem passed away at 7:06 p.m. April 22, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.

He was born July 15, 1941 in Salem, the son of the late Kenneth and Mamie (Jeffries) Headland.

He attended many schools, as his parents were ministers. He graduated from Boston Township (Woodridge) in Peninsula in 1959. He graduated from Malone College in 1964 where he played basketball and was the first battery (with Dave Brookes) on the Pioneer baseball team. He enjoyed going back and playing in alumni baseball games at Malone. He even caught a couple of innings in a game when he was 63 years old! He put himself through college by working on campus and detasseling corn with his father in the summertime. Several times he would hitchhike from Canton to Grinnell, Iowa to visit his parents. He would also stay with his Uncle Bob and Aunt Ruth Jeffries in Salem. He was a teacher at Southern Local for two years and Salem City Schools for 34. Paul got his master’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1974. At Southern Local, he coached football and basketball. At Salem, he coached wrestling, football and girls fast pitch softball. His 1997 Salem High School girls fast pitch team won the districts that he coached with his daughter.  

 He and his wife, Carol Sue, established Heritage Church in 1968 and had an open door at their residence for visitors at any time of the day or night. As Dayne Popa would say, “The church is always open.” Paul played fast pitch in the early 1960s. He also played slow pitch softball up until he was 67 years old. Head played in countless tournaments around Ohio where he quickly became very well known for his antics as a pitcher. He and Carol attended every sports event his kids, Dan and Steph, participated in no matter how far away. Paul and Carol drove numerous miles to many Malone College softball games to watch Steph and became parents to many of the girls on the Malone College softball team. Steph’s teammates looked forward to seeing them.

 He is survived by his wife, the former Carol Sue Haught, whom he married on July 17, 1965; his daughter, Stephanie (Judson) Linder; his son, Dan (Kara) Headland; brother, Mark Headland; and two grandchildren, Elyse and Ansley, all of Salem.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five infant siblings and four beloved grand-dogs (Vada, Scout, Waylon and Little Rick).

In the evening of his death, Stephanie was contacted by Lifebank because he was an organ donor. They had someone that needed his corneas.

 Carol Sue, Steph and Jud want to extend a sincere thank you to RB Mehno for being with us when Head went into cardiac arrest and calling for a group hug. Thank you to Jeff and Sarah Manning for being with Carol Sue and Stephanie on Saturday and driving them home.

 A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Salem First Friends Church with Pastor Pete Fowler officiating. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to these places that were close to Head’s heart including the following. Malone University baseball or basketball programs, 2600 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, Ohio 44709-3897. He absolutely loved St. Bernards and Stephanie just adopted an 11-month-old Saint, Hank, that he loved. Gentle Ben’s Giant Breed Rescue P.O. Box 533 Zelienople, PA 16063; or First Friends Church, 1028 Jennings Ave. Salem, Ohio 44460.

 His obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.starkmemorial.com.

4/25/17

(Paid obituary)