Charles Walter Crate

harles "Charlie" Walter Crate, 68, of Vermilion , died Tuesday, February 10, 2004 in Metro Health Medical Center from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was born April 5, 1935 in Beaver, Clarion County, PA. He has been a Vermilion resident for the past 35 years moving from PA. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving from 1955 to 1958. He worked as a FAA Air Traffic Controler for Oberlin airport for 22 years retiring in 1982. During his retirement he volunteered for many charities. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Vermilion. He was also a life member of AMVETS Post #22 in Vermilion and a member of Vermilion VFW Post # 7576 and Vermilion American Legion Post # 397. He was active with Meals on Wheels and the Vermilion Athletic Boosters. He enjoyed fishing, all sports, bowling, was an excellent cook, and most of all spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Bonnie Marie (nee Bolyard); 2 sons, Bradley and his wife Shirley Titchenell of North Ridgeville, and David and his wife Amy Crate of New Lexington, OH; 2 daughters Cindy and her husband, Kevin Blake of Ottoville, OH and Diane and her husband, Steve Cooper of South Shore, KY; 6 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brothers, James Crate of Dallas, TX and William Crate, CA and sister, Mona Kennedy of Pittsburgh, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold John and Edith Catherine (nee Aarron) Crate; his step father, Mark Benedict Aarron and a sister, Catherine Jean McDonough. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 13, 2004 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Services will be held at the Riddle Funeral Home, Saturday, February 14, 2004, at 11 am with Reverend Jim Holmer, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church and Reverend James Cox, pastor of Grace United Methodist, co-officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery with the Military honors conducted by the Vermilion Veterans Council. Contributions may be made to the Vermilion AMVETS Post #22 Mortgage Liquidation Fund , P.O. Box 199, Vermilion, Ohio, or any American Veterans Association.