Irvin Fraley, Jr.

Irvin Fraley Jr., 88, of Vermilion, died Friday, April 21, 2023 at Mercy Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

He was born October 2, 1934 in Big Creek, KY and had been a Vermilion resident for the past 56 years moving from KY.

Irvin was a veteran of the US Army.

He started his career as a coal truck driver in Kentucky before starting at Ford Motor Co., Lorain where he worked for 28 years retiring in 1995.

He had been a member of the Old Regular Baptist Church, Elyria and AMVETS Post #22.  He was also a member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association.  He enjoyed horseshoes, winning the state championship in his age division one year, bowling, mowing, and gardening.  He especially enjoyed helping his daughter at her greenhouse, Bissell's Greenhouse in Vermilion.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Betty (nee Maynard) Fraley of Vermilion; children, Marsha (William) Bissell of Vermilion, Bryan (Sherry) Fraley of Vermilion, Tammy Sampson of Vermilion, Lisa Fraley of Norwalk, and Kimberly Fraley of Huron; step-children, William (Anita) Thompson of FL, Dawn Kerley of North Ridgeville, and Kevin (Stacey) Thompson of Wakeman; grandchildren: Jason Bissell, Leah Zander, Bryan Fraley Jr., Matthew Sampson, Nicholas Sampson, Amanda Terry, Christopher Huges, Kylie Gwynn, Jayden Gwynn, Cade Gwynn, Logan Thompson, Kenna Thompson, William Kerley, Olivia Kerley, Noah and Lukas; 8 great grandchildren; brothers, Bill (Darlene) Fraley of AZ, Thomas (Liz) Fraley of Lorain, George Fraley of KY and Richard (Carol) Fraley of AZ; sisters, Anna Lois (the late, George) Deskins of IA, Doris Fraley of KY, Lorraine (the late, Ronnie) Bennett of Lebanon, OH, and Katherine (the late, Larry) Hull of LA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Myrtle (nee Jackson) Fraley; brothers, Eugene and Curtis; and his sister, Sue Nichols.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until the time of a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, 1375 East 9th Street #600, Cleveland, OH 44114

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.