Fred Searles' Obituary
Fred L. Searles, age 83, of North Ridgeville, passed away June 4, 2013 at the Cleveland Clinic surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Nelsonville and had been a resident of North Ridgeville for nearly 50 years.
Mr. Searles retired as a Master Sergeant in 1970 from the United States Air Force receiving the meritorious service medal. He then went on to work with the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services for 21 years.
Fred was a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church, American Legion Post 12, and was a charter member of the DAV, all in Elyria. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, and taking camping trips with his family all throughout the U.S. He will be fondly remembered as being straightforward and disciplined, as well as loving, caring and generous.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Garnet; sons, Richard (Teresa) Searles, Somerset, Ky., Gregory (Lynn) Searles, Gainesville, Fla., Christopher (Christa) Searles, Grafton; daughter, Mary Marsha (Timothy) Carpenter, Alachua, Fla; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and half sister, Gloria Pettet, Newark. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marcia Searles; brother, Gerald Searles; and half sisters, Shirley McKee and Patricia Leckrone.
Military rites and interment will take place at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday at Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church, Elyria.
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