JEWETT, Ohio — Phillip Darr “Weasel” Birney, 42, of Jewett, Ohio, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.
Born April 19, 1969, in Dennison, he was the son of John P. and Audrey (Bolitho) Birney of Jewett.
A lifelong resident of Harrison County, he graduated from Jewett-Scio High School in 1987 and received an associate’s degree in beef management from Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute.
He worked for Tuscarawas Landmark, Wallace Fencing in Jewett, then he and Ray Marker founded Blue Ridge Fencing. He also worked for almost 15 years for Valley Mining, where he was a reclamation foreman.
Mr. Birney also worked all of his life with his family at C.H. Birney Farms, where he helped manage the farm herd and his own herd, and helped design and construct the main barn on the farm in 2006.
He was a member of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Harrison County Farm Bureau, New Rumley 4-H Club and was a 4-H key leader. He attended Ohio Cattleman’s BEST shows across the state and open shows with his children, and he served as a livestock judge for cattle shows at county fairs over the past two years.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Sherri L. (Mercer) Birney; three children, Malania, Thomas John “TJ”, and Mallory; a sister, Lin Hamric of Coshocton; brother Stephen Birney of Jewett; and five nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl R. and Mildred Bolitho and Carl H. and Doris Birney.
Services will be held Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Koch Funeral Home, Scio with Pastor Roger Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Gardens, Jewett.
Friends may call Wednesday from 7- 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Citizens Bank of Jewett, 318 E. Main Street, Jewett, OH 43986, where a scholarship fund has been established for his children.
