Kenneth Pancake

VAN WERT, Ohio - Kenneth A. Pancake, 90, of Van Wert, formerly of Convoy, Ohio, died at 4:15 a.m. April 7, 2012, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born Sept. 18, 1921, in Convoy, Ohio, to the late Fannie F. (Sheets) Pancake and William Pancake. His wife is Iylene P. "Pat" (Kennedy) Pancake of Van Wert.

Survivors include his children: Michael A. (Pauline) Pancake of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Leslie D. Pancake of South Whitley, Ind.; Patti A. (Steve) Keister of Van Wert; daughter-in-law: Debra Pancake of Puyallup, Washington; a brother: William (Mid) Pancake of Van Wert; two sisters: Lucille Kolbow of New Haven, Ind., and Mary Ruble of Monroeville, Ind.; grandchildren: Rachel, Rebecca, Michelle, Katy, Megan, Colleen, Heather, Christian, Kenna, Missy and J.D., and great-grandchildren: Noelle, Preston, Avaleen, Alex, Jeffrey and Grayson.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Robert Clark Pancake and Howard William Pancake, four brothers: Harold, Larry, Carl and Herb Pancake, and a sister: Betty Ruble.

He retired from International Harvester, Ft. Wayne, Ind., after 28 years of service. He had formerly farmed and was the custodian at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Convoy, a former volunteer fireman in Convoy, former Little League Baseball coach; a member of Convoy American Legion and was a U.S. Navy veteran of WW II who served in the Pacific Theatre. He was devoted to his family and was an avid gardener and card player.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 11 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Convoy. The Rev. Rita Bair will officiate. Burial will be in Convoy I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Convoy. Military graveside services will be conducted.

Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, also, one hour prior to funeral Wednesday at the church.

Preferred memorial is Van Wert Inpatient Hospice or Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.