CANTON — Wilfred “Fred” Drake, age 88, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at Aultman Compassionate Care Center.
He was born to John Wesley and Lulu (Varner) Drake on Jan. 9, 1924, near Emlenton, Pa. He has two brothers, Donald and Roger (both deceased) and a sister, Eleanor Benton, living in Pittsburgh, Pa. Upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Signal Corp in 1942 and attended Keystone Radio Signal School. He was a World War II Veteran, and served in New Guinea, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. After discharged, he attended Pittsburgh Business Training College.
Fred was hired by Sears Credit and Collections. He was then transferred to Ashtabula shortly after his marriage to Marjorie Ewing in 1948. The couple had three children, Wesley, Willette and Douglas. He later married Lois (Kaikko) in 1969 who had two married children, Sandra and Peter.
Wilfred was employed by Reliance Electric Co. in Ashtabula for 31 years, before retiring with his second wife, Lois, to Albuquerque, N.M. They thoroughly enjoyed their retirement in the Southwest and traveled extensively, always making sure they visited family members yearly. In 2001, after 16 years, they found it necessary to move back to Ohio to be closer to family and chose to be centrally located in Canton. Sadly, Lois recently passed away Dec. 2, 2012. Fred and Lois were married 43 years.
Wilfred is survived by his five children, Sandra (Bob) Yarish of LaGrange, Ohio, Peter (Carol) Kaikko of Noblesville, Ind., Wesley (Marilyn) Drake of Galena, Ohio, Willette (Paul) Pillot of Canton, Ohio, and Doug (Gene) Drake of Kingsville, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
There will be no service or memorial at this time. A private family service will take place at a later date at Greenlawn Cemetery in North Kingsville, Ohio.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Music Department at Community Christian Church, North Canton, where he was a member. He embraced the Disciples of Christ Churches and was an active member in both Albuquerque and Ashtabula.
Obituary and condolences may be made at www.karlofh.com and starbeacon.com.
