Frederick Lawrence "Fred" Esker

Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Esker passed away August 27, 2012.

Born in Akron, he lived in the area his entire life. Fred was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served in France and Germany during World War II in the Military Police. He retired from Babcock and Wilcox in Barberton after working as a machine operator in the Nuclear Division. Fred’s memberships included Englebeck Masonic Lodge F&AM, Tadmor Shrine, Bob Appleman VFW Post, the American Legion, and the Boilermakers & Blacksmith’s Union.

Preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Inez (Bridenthal) Buterbaugh and Lawrence Rheinhard Esker; and wife, Ethel Vernell (Hogue) Esker; he is survived by daughter, Sue A. Esker of Brunswick; sons, Ted L. (Denise) Esker of Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Carl L. Esker of Canton; grandchildren, Brian L. (Nicole) Esker of Portage Lakes, Jennie-Marie (Mike) Tatum of Walter Hill, Tenn., Audra L. Esker (David Huff) of Chicago, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Reed M. and Milam L. Tatum; brother, Harold (Jean) Esker of Akron; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Charlotte and Gene Dotson, Netha Marinos and Arnie Alsip; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, 7 p.m., at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Rd., Akron, OH 44312, with Pastor Rich Ferris officiating. Entombment will take place at Hillside Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Armed Forces Relief Trust, Dept. 6055, Washington, DC 20042-6055, or the American Heart Association, 15120 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.