Obituary
Bethel Gene Rakes, Sr.
OAKWOOD – Bethel Gene Rakes, Sr., 79,of Oakwood died at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Defiance Regional Hospital. He was born May 17, 1932 in Ranger, WV to the late John Sherman and Perlina (Lambert) Rakes. On January 13, 1951, he married J. Wilma Cassidy and she survives in Oakwood. Also surviving are 3 children: Carol Stahl of Melrose, Janet Rakes of Oakwood and Pamela (Darwin) Sherry of Trenton, GA; 7 grandchildren: David (Niki) Stahl, Michael (Tracey) Stahl, Johnny Rakes, Aaron Rakes, Karisa (Rob) Long, Lance Sherry and Cory Sherry; 6 great-grandchildren: Shelbie and Tyler Stahl, Jennifer Stahl, Taylor and Hunter Long and Kinlee Jo Sherry; 1 sister: Madgie (Cliff) Nally of Defiance; 3 brothers: Frank (Virgie) Rakes, Arnold (Linda) Rakes and Ernest (Trudy) Rakes all of Defiance. He was preceded in death also by a son: Gene Rakes; 2 sisters: Mamie Mullins and Geraldine Rakes; 5 brothers: Bub, Russell, Tom, Clarence and Vernon Rakes; a granddaughter: Crystal Tritsch and a great-grandson: Austin Tritsch.
Bethel retired from General Motors, Defiance after 32 years. He was a member of The Church of Christ in Oakwood. He was also a member of Local 211 UAW; president of Defiance Coon Hunter's Club and member of North American Hunting Club.
Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Oakwood with Pastor Lonnie Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Defiance. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm Friday and one hour prior to service Saturday at HEITMEYER
FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com
OAKWOOD – Bethel Gene Rakes, Sr., 79,of Oakwood died at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Defiance Regional Hospital. He was born May 17, 1932 in Ranger, WV to the late John Sherman and Perlina (Lambert) Rakes. On January 13, 1951, he married J. Wilma Cassidy and she survives in Oakwood. Also surviving are 3 children: Carol Stahl of Melrose, Janet Rakes of Oakwood and Pamela (Darwin) Sherry of Trenton, GA; 7 grandchildren: David (Niki) Stahl, Michael (Tracey) Stahl, Johnny Rakes, Aaron Rakes, Karisa (Rob) Long, Lance Sherry and Cory Sherry; 6 great-grandchildren: Shelbie and Tyler Stahl, Jennifer Stahl, Taylor and Hunter Long and Kinlee Jo Sherry; 1 sister: Madgie (Cliff) Nally of Defiance; 3 brothers: Frank (Virgie) Rakes, Arnold (Linda) Rakes and Ernest (Trudy) Rakes all of Defiance. He was preceded in death also by a son: Gene Rakes; 2 sisters: Mamie Mullins and Geraldine Rakes; 5 brothers: Bub, Russell, Tom, Clarence and Vernon Rakes; a granddaughter: Crystal Tritsch and a great-grandson: Austin Tritsch.
Bethel retired from General Motors, Defiance after 32 years. He was a member of The Church of Christ in Oakwood. He was also a member of Local 211 UAW; president of Defiance Coon Hunter's Club and member of North American Hunting Club.
Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Oakwood with Pastor Lonnie Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Defiance. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm Friday and one hour prior to service Saturday at HEITMEYER
FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Bethel Gene Rakes, Sr., please visit our flower store.