Waitsel L. 'Gummy' Wright

Waitsel L. "Gummy" Wright, 86, Akron, passed away peacefully in his home at 1:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, after an extended fight with cancer. He was born Aug. 14, 1926 in Silver Lake, to parents Ed and Bertha (Allen) Wright. He was a 1944 graduate of Silver Lake High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as part of the Armed Guard serving on the S.S. Tuskegee. He was married to Adeline Matzat until 1971. She preceded him in death. He retired in 1986 from NIPSCO, where he was a welder, after 26 years of service. Before working for NIPSCO, Gummy had worked for Buckeye Pipelines. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 79 in Rochester. Prior to its closing, he was a member of the Akron Masonic Lodge No. 659, where he was a past master. He was a member of the former Manitou Trotting Association and enjoyed fishing and farming. Gummy also was a supporter of the Akron Speedway Go-Kart Track where they ran a race each year dedicated to him named the Gummy 50. He could also be found at the coffee shop participating in the round table conversations of the day. He touched many in the Akron community through his involvement as a little league coach. He attended the Olive Branch Church of God and the Pleasant Valley United Baptist Church of Silver Lake. Survivors include four daughters, Karen Frolick, Akron, Sharon and husband Jay Heckaman, Silver Lake, Shelly and husband Keith Davison, Warsaw, and Brenda and husband Tom Lester, Noblesville; three sons, Bruce Hogue, Akron, Royce and wife Anita Wright, Akron, and Rodney Wright (Carrie), Akron; daughter-in-law, Janet Wright, Claypool; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Bertha Wright; two sons, Garry Wright and Larry Wright; daughter-in-law, Diana Hogue; three grandchildren, Josie Heckaman, Aaron Williams, and Aubrey Hogue; one sister, Catherine; three brothers, Otto, Eddy (Junior) and David Wright, half-sister, Edna; and half-brother, Hebrew. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with Pastor Frank Whitaker officiating. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic memorial service at 7 p.m. following the visitation. Memorial contributions are open to the donor's choice. Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.

Waitsel L. 'Gummy' Wright

August 14, 1926 - December 10, 2012