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“DOC” HOUSEHOLDER
BARNESVILLE – Positivity and opportunities – these are the things that made “Doc” the homeowner a key player in the community’s growth and success.
Ira Eugene “Doc” Homeowner, executive director of Belmont County Tourism and founder of the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, died Tuesday. He was 94.
In more than nine decades, he spent all of them in the area, owning and operating several businesses in downtown Barnesville and spending 28 years promoting his beloved county as a tourist destination. He was a member of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the village Kiwanis Club for over half a century.
Roger Dale, Barnesville Village Administrator, has worked closely with the family on many projects over the years. Remembering warm memories of the man, “Doc” was “always positive” and believed that “everything is possible”.
“It’s had a huge impact on the community — and I’m not just talking about Barnesville, but Belmont County,” he said, noting that homeowner stores are key elements of the business community in the village. He was always positive. You felt better as you ran to Doc.
The agreement marked the growth of the Pumpkin Festival and the homeowner said he was largely responsible for what happened. According to his obituary, the homeowner attended the first Barnesville Fall Festival meeting and soon became president of the organization. The event, which began in the basement of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Barnesville, has grown to become one of Ohio’s largest festivals, drawing more than 100,000 people to the community each year.
“I don’t think he had a pessimistic word…” Dale continued. “That’s what has made him so successful, and I think he’s rubbed off on all of us. It really had a big impact on me.
“He wanted to shake us all up. What an influence… and what a great man he was. He will be sadly missed.”
Wheeling University President Ginny Favede was a Belmont County commissioner during her years with the Tourism Council through some family members. She remembered him fondly on Friday, showing pictures of him wearing his always-available suspenders and recalling how he and the late Ruth loved each other.
“He was an amazing person,” Favede said. “I think just knowing him made you a better person.
“He was always very eager to share any good news about Belmont County,” she continued, recalling his regular updates to the Board of Commissioners. “He was very proud. He was always proud of what was going to happen. And he loved the people of Barnesville.
Fevede said the homeowner knows Belmont County and its history better than anyone — and has taught that history to anyone nearby.
“They don’t do guys like Doc Hausleder anymore,” she added.
Barb Ballint worked with Householder first as a board member of the Tourism Council and then as its assistant director before taking over as executive director at the age of 88 when the family retired.
In total, they worked closely together for about a year and a half, Balint said.
“He taught me a lot about the county that I didn’t know,” Balint said. “Everybody on the riverfront thinks the county line ends at the (Ohio Valley) mall (St. Clairsville); everybody in Barnesville, Belmont, the Flushing area thinks the county line ends at the mall. We’re very geographically spread out. About Belmont It was a blessing for me to learn all about County.
She noted that communities along the Ohio River tend to be more industrial, while those in the western half of the county are more rural and agricultural.
“We are one region, one region, but we have different lives,” she added. “Doc taught me. He showed me everything he had to offer, the history of our county – he was able to share and teach me that, and I feel truly blessed and honored to call him not only my boss but also my friend.”
Now retired from her position with the tourism council, Balint gets emotional when she thinks about Haussler and his children.
“When you know Doc, you know his family,” she said as she began to choke. “My condolences go out to the guys and their families. … I became very close to them. As he neared retirement, we shared a relationship with Doc to help make sure he was always safe.”
“He lived a great life. At 94, he outlived most, but it’s hard when you lose someone you love.”
Householder is survived by two sons, Tony (Debbie) Householder and Tom (Valerie) Householder, both of Barnesville, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday from 4-8 PM at Wilson Funeral Home, Barnesville Chapel, 702 E. Main St., Barnesville. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Crestview Cemetery in Barnesville.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Walton Home, 1254 E. Main St., Barnesville, Ohio 43713, where he lived for many years after his retirement.
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