NILES - Randall Larman Hake, 85, passed away at 10:05 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at the family home, surrounded by many loved ones.
Dad was born in Niles on Dec. 15, 1926, the son of Noble and Dorothy Larman Hake.
He attended Warren, Ashtabula and Niles schools before joining the Navy Air Force in December 1943. He proudly served his country by conducting recovery missions in the Asiatic Pacific until being honorable discharged in April 1946. While a seaman 1st class, Dad was decorated with the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.
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After his discharge from the Navy, Dad returned to Niles, where he worked as a butcher alongside his father and in 1948 began his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad as a clerk. He retired in 1988 as the yard master of the Niles Yard after working 40 years for Conrail.
He was a member of St. Stephen Church, and at the age of 75, he obtained his high school diploma.
In 1948, Dad met the love of his life, the dark-haired girl with beautiful hands, Jo Ann Ring. They were married on Sept. 22, 1949, at St. Stephen Church in Niles. Mom and Dad shared 55 years together until Mom passed away on Aug. 1, 2004. Dad remained in the family home, tending his garden, taking care of his beloved house and yard, collecting antiques, along with spending hours in his garage and greenhouse "puttering." Dad got great satisfaction from seeing his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren learn to swim in the backyard pool along with many extended family and neighborhood friends.
In 2010, Dad's health began to deteriorate but he loved being outdoors, watching the birds at the bird feeders, observing his children work in the yard and around the house and supervising his eldest son's new-found love of vegetable gardening. Among many things Dad taught his children, foremost was work hard, keep trying, and don't give up. Dad held to this philosophy until he left this earth to be happily reunited with Mom.
Dad is survived by seven children, Randall J. (Mary Ann) Hake of Niles, Connie E. Hake of Niles, Paul C. (Rhonda) Hake of Niles, Christopher J. (Tammie) Hake of Howland, Mary Jo (Ernest S.) Bokone of Hubbard, Charles M. (Debra) Hake of Farmdale and Kevin J. (Gina) Hake of Girard. Also remaining to carry on his spirit are his "special angels," 12 grandchildren, Christopher M. (Christina) Hake, Melissa S. (Ryan) Neiss, Christopher R. (Leslie) Hake, Jennifer N. (Bradley) Brown, Kathryn J. (Gary) Rowley, John C. Hake, Rebecca B. Hake, Morgan T. Hake, Allison D. Hake, Grace A. Hake, Joel A. Hake and Elizabeth J. Bokone; and six great-grandchildren, Logan Brown, Camryn Brown, Jaxson Hake, Ethan Rowley, Christian Hake and Cyrus Hake. A sister, Sallie Lu Breault of Lorton, Va., also survives.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, William James Hake, sister, Donna Jean Fulford and two infant sisters.
Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen Church, where the Rev. Thomas Kraszewski will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen School or Morning Star School for Exceptional Children, 930 Leigh Ave., Orlando, FL 32804, in care of the funeral home.
To send condolences, visit www.holeton-yuhasz.com.
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