Vern Harold Hakes

Vern Harold Hakes, of Hypoluxo, FL and Catawba Island, died Monday, October 31, 2011 at Catawba Island. He was born Jan. 29, 1912 in Lorain, OH the son of Robert E. and Minerva K. (Hammer) Hakes. He married Evlyn M. Scott on July 14, 1935 and she preceded him in death on September 23, 2004. Mr. Hakes was a 1930 graduate of Lorain High School. He worked at Marshal Drug Store and Kurtz Drug Store before continuing his education. He graduated from Ohio Northern School of Pharmacy in 1933. He was a past-president of Kappa Psi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity at ONU and he was an honorary member of the Rho Chi Honor Society. He served on the Board of Trustees at the university and in 1976 he received his honorary Doctorate from Ohio Northern University and was honored by having the Hakes-Piersdorf Building in the School of Pharmacy named after him. He started working in 1939 as a sales rep for Eli Lilly rising through the company in many positions until he became President of the United Kingdom & Canada Division. He retired from Eli Lilly as Corporate Vice-President in 1972. He previously was on the Governor's Board for Education and was a past member of the Lakeside Association Board of Directors. He is also the past president of the Catawba Cliffs Association where he was instrumental in up-grading the roads and water system. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cleveland Lodge #552. Mr. Hakes is a United States Navy veteran serving in World War II. Surviving are his daughter: Victoria (Lee) Thoresen of Crete, IL; grandchildren: Tracyleigh (John) Rice of Pittsburgh, Lance (Susan) Thoresen of Minneapolis, MN, Todd (Milka) Thoresen of Chicago, IL, Jeffery (Kathy) Hakes of Brunswick, OH, Jana Hakes of Twinsburg, OH, Kathleen (Larry) Blout of Henrietta, NY; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his son: Robert Hakes and brother Sheldon Hakes Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am Monday, November 7, 2011 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, Lakeside, OH. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00 5:00 pm at Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, LakesideMarblehead, OH. Burial will be in Catawba Island Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Lakeside Association. On line condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com . Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH US 43440