KENNETH LEO OKE

Ken was born Sept. 15, 1924, in Highland Park, Michigan to the late Leo and Gertrude (Nowell) Oke. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 15, 1943 and served during WWII. He married Mary Leah Meldrum on May 17, 1947, she preceded him on Feb. 6, 2008. Ken was a proud Democrat having attended three national conventions and serving as the National Chair for the Alpena County Democratic Party. He also served as the precinct delegate for many years as well as the Long Rapids Twp. Planning Committee where he was a regular fixture at the board meetings for both Long Rapids Twp. and Maple Ridge Twp. Ken was an avid reader, and a frequent contributor to the “Letters to the Editor”. He was a member of the DAV, American Legion, VFW Post 2496, and the Sheet Metal Workers Union.

Ken is survived by three children, Mary Jo Oke, Kenneth G. (Tina) Oke, and Douglas L. Oke, four grandchildren, Stacey Morrison, William Morrison, Kenneth R. Oke, and Fraya Okefee, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, his special care giver, Danell Schaedig, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his wife Mary, his daughter, Martha Morrison, his grandson, James M. Wing, and three siblings.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at McWilliams Funeral Home from 3 p.m. until military honors accorded by VFW Post 2496 beginning at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Alpena Senior Center, Huron Humane Society, or the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Library.