Virgil Rakes

Leetonia, OH-October 19, 2009 - Virgil Rakes, 79, of 146 Oak Street, died at 11:07 a.m. Monday at Salem Community Hospital.

Mr. Rakes was born June 2, 1930 in Bearwallow, VA, a son of the late Henry and Cosby Day Rakes and had lived in this area most of his life; coming from Mansfield, OH.

He had worked in the fabricating plant for General Motors in Lordstown, retiring in October 1994. He had served in the U.S. Army.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Leetonia. Virgil was a devoted family man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed carving handmade wooden crosses.

Mr. Rakes is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Carmella Garzaniti; seven daughters, Toni (Ron) Townsley of Willis, MI, Pat (Roger) Edgell of Columbiana, Rose (Harry) Shukait of Ypsilanti, MI, Reva (Roger) Kugler of Salem, Donna (Brian Hoover) St. Clair of Lisbon, Sharon (Tim) McKenzie of Berlin Center and Andrea (Randy) Fast of Salem; a sister, Laurie (Allen) Click of New Hall, WV; 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Virgil was preceded in death by three sisters, Belle Rakes, Hazel Beavers and Hattie Rakes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Reverend Thomas Eisweirth officiating. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia. Burial will follow in the Mount Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Salem Amvets and VFW Honor Guard.

Material tributes may take the form of a donation to the Mount Calvary Cemetery Association.