McCRACKEN

William David McCracken, 93, of Van Wert, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Mr. McCracken was born in Jackson Township to the late Alnora (Stemen) and Lehr H. McCracken. Surviving Mr. McCracken is his wife, Marilynn J. (Foust) McCracken, with whom he celebrated 71 years of marriage on January 20, 2010.

Mr. McCracken was a 1934 Hoaglin-Jackson High School graduate and lived in rural Van Wert County 82 years, where he farmed and owned his own business, McCracken & Sons Plumbing and Electric. He was affiliated with First United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Middle Point Lions Club.

Surviving children include Roseanne (Dr. Ted) Spieles of Lima, Pamela (Michael) Whetstone of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Kent (Kim) McCracken of Delphos, Dr. James (Susan) McCracken of Washington Court House, Marylou (Anthony) Smith, Sherridee (Michael) Arn and Eric (Melody) McCracken, all of Van Wert; a daughter-in-law, Myrna McCracken of Fremont, Ind.

Mr. McCracken was preceded in death by a son, David McCracken; brother, Don McCracken; a sister, Claribel DuVall; and two grandchildren, Graigory Pollock and Chelsea Smith.

Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Stewart of Grover Hill and Mary Pohlman of Van Wert; three nephews and one niece. He was also blessed with 22 grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Mohr Cemetery near Middle Point.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Friday, April 16, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.

Preferred memorials: The Salvation Army, First United Methodist Food Pantry and Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at agfhc@embarqmail.com.