Kenneth A. Pancake

Kenneth A. Pancake, 90, of Van Wert and formerly of Convoy, died at 4:15 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born September 18, 1921, in Convoy, the son of the late William and Fannie F. (Sheets) Pancake. He married Iylene P. “Pat” (Kennedy) Pancake, who survives in Van Wert.

Mr. Pancake retired from International Harvester in Fort Wayne, Ind., after 28 years of service. He had formerly farmed and was the custodian at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy, of which he was also a member.

He was a former volunteer firefighter in Convoy, was a former Little League baseball coach; was a member of the Convoy American Legion post, and was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was devoted to his family and was an avid gardener and card player.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three children, Michael A. (Pauline) Pancake of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Leslie D. Pancake of South Whitley, Ind., and Patti A. (Steve) Keister of Van Wert; a daughter-in-law, Debra Pancake of Puyallup, Wash.; one brother, William (Mid) Pancake of Van Wert; two sisters, Lucille Kolbow of New Haven, Ind., and Mary Ruble of Monroeville, Ind.; 11 grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca, Michelle, Katy, Megan, Colleen, Heather, Christian, Kenna, Missy and J.D.; and six great-grandchildren, Noelle, Preston, Avaleen, Alex, Jeffrey and Grayson.

Two sons, Robert Clark Pancake and Howard William Pancake; four brothers, Harold, Larry, Carl and Herb Pancake; and a sister, Betty Ruble, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy, with Pastor Rita Bair officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy, with graveside military rites to be performed.

Calling hours are from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891, or Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.