(1947 Graduate Of Delta High School)
Veteran
Ernest Junior Raker, age 94, died November 27, 2023 at Genecross Nursing Home Napoleon, Ohio. Ernie was born June 8th, 1929 to Louie and Hazel (Hoffhines) Raker, the youngest of eight children.
He was born in the area known as Raker’s Corners in rural Delta near County Roads D & 6. He graduated from Delta High School in 1947 and was the class president.
In 1951 he was drafted into the Army and served in Korea for two years obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the National Champion Staccato Drill Team for the Delta, Ohio Legion Post 373.
He was married to Marilyn Brown in 1953 and they had two daughters and a son. He worked for Eagle Picher Bearings in Delta for 38 years. His second marriage was to Victoria Williamson in 1991.
Together they owned and operated the Big Bear Antiques and Auction Service in Wauseon, Ohio. Ernie also did clock repair as a sideline and knew many people from his hobby.
He worked for Wauseon Machine in the inspection department until 2008. He enjoyed playing softball for many years, as a catcher.
He was also an avid Ohio State football fan. He bowled in many leagues in the area. He played Euchre at the Swanton American Legion Post 479 where he was a life member for over 70 years.
He was previously a member of Delta American Legion Post 373 where he was a Past Post Commander for two years and marched with the Honor Guard.
He was a member of St. Caspar’s Catholic Church in Wauseon and a First Degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a regular attendee at the Senior Centers in Delta and Wauseon where he enjoyed playing bingo and cards.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marilyn, son Randall Raker, brothers, Clyde, Floyd, Clifton (Skip) and Willard Raker, sisters Velma Simon, Katherine Leininger and Beatrice Klostermeier.
Left to mourn his loss are his wife Victoria Raker, daughters, Rebecca O’Kenka, Roxanne Raker, step daughters, Mary Vaughn (Rodney) and Sara Howard (Brian), also 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 1 great great-grandson and step grand-children and many nieces and nephews who were all cherished.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at St. Caspar Catholic Church in Wauseon. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 11:00 A.M., with Father Todd Dominique, officiating. Interment and Military Honors will be held at a later date at the Raker Cemetery, near Delta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon to help defray the expenses of the funeral. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.
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