Ethmer Abraham Peak,80, Ava, the son of Otto “Bud” and Mary Louisa (Manning) Peak, was born May 19, 1925, in Douglas County and departed this life Aug. 20, 2005, at Rocky Ridge Manor in Mansfield where he had been a resident for the past five months.
On Feb. 1, 1962, he was united in marriage to Gladys Conklin by the Rev. Ernest Hamby at the Ava Courthouse. This union was blessed with a son and a daughter.
Ethmer was saved and baptized in 1964. He became an ordained deacon. He drove the church bus for several years, and was faithful to God and attended church regularly for as long as his health allowed.
He was a dairy farmer and a milk hauler for six years. He then worked at Spalding Sporting Goods in Ava until it closed. He became employed in the Ava School System and retired after 13 years of service.
Ethmer took great pride in his vegetable gardens. He especially enjoyed working in the garden with his grandchildren. He loved sharing his fruits and vegetables with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Thomas, Jesse and Arvel; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Lila Fay.
Survivors include his loving wife, Gladys, of the home; one son, Charles Peak and wife, Susan, of Missouri; one daughter, Tammy Nell and husband, David, of Kansas; seven grandchildren, Misty, Alicia, Valerie, Katie, Jeremy, Jacob and Dereck; one sister, Lily Merriett, of Seymour; a host of nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Robert Roberts and John Moles officiating. Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to The Gideons International, c/o Barnes Family Funeral Home.
