George Ernest Brake

George Ernest Brake, 58, of York Township, died as a result of a traffic accident Wednesday morning near his home.

He was born April 4, 1957, in Kenton, the son of the late Carl Brake and Virginia Jean (May) Brake. On April 22, 1979, he married the love of his life, Kathy Brake (formerly Miller), who survives.

Other family members include four sons, James (Chesley) Brake of Hoytville, Mark Brake of Guam, and Levi Brake and Johnathan Brake, both at home; their beloved friend, Keith (Kendra) Thompson of Van Wert; a daughter, Ann Brake at home; four brothers, Greg (Kim) Brake of Atlanta, Georgia, Larry P. Banta of Van Wert, Mark A. (Renee) Banta of Monroe, Michigan, and Mark (Emily) Young of Lima; three sisters, Kathy S. Banta of Van Wert, Carla (Mike) Swank of Urbana, and Sarah (Phillip) Grahm of Urbana; his mother-in-law, Roberta Miller of Van Wert; and stepmother, Sally Culp of Urbana.

A sister, Sheila Breslin, and one brother, David Leigh Brake, also preceded him in death.

George was a 1975 graduate of Van Wert High School and attended Wright State University. He attended Ohio City Community Church of God. He was serving as the director of the Van Wert Solid Waste Management District. He was a board member of Midwest Electric Cooperative and chairman of the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperative. He was also active in the jail ministry in Van Wert.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, with Pastor Randy Bevington officiating. Interment will follow in Tomlinson Cemetery in rural Mercer County.

Calling hours are Tuesday 1-8 p.m. at Cowan & Son Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the Church.