Kenneth C. Frayer Sr., a lifelong resident and pillar of Marion County for 96 years, he died peacefully on Friday morning, May 25, 2012, at the Kingston Residence surrounded by his loving family.
On September 10, 1915, Ken was born in Pleasant Township of Marion County, one of eight children of the late John and Alice (Fetter) Frayer. He graduated from Claridon High School in the Class of 1934.
Shortly after graduating, Ken went on a blind date with the young Merlyn Collins, and they would quickly realize they were meant to be together. They were married on May 28, 1938, in the Emanuel Lutheran Church parsonage. In just three days, they would have celebrated their wonderful 74 years of marriage with their three children. She too is in failing health at the Kingston Residence.
Immediately following high school, Ken began working at the Marion Power Shovel for several years, until an accident caused him to lose part of his eye. Then, after months of not being able to work because both of his eyes were wrapped, he worked for the Marion County Farm Bureau where they appointed him as the manager of their feed mill. He worked there until the tragic fire on June 25, 1953, when a fire burned down the grain elevator.
Using the experience he gained at the feed mill, Ken went to help Willard Davidson with his business, the Davidson Seed Company, just north of Marion. In 1954, he became a partner of the company, until the passing of Mr. Davidson in 1957, when he acquired the business. He owned and operated the Frayer Seed company with the assistance of his wife, until his retirement in 1973. He was a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau and the Ohio Certified Seed Association.
In 1963, Ken was also a founding partner of Morral Chemical Company, with Richard and Leroy Fetter, which was one of the first to sell and apply liquid fertilizer to farms in Marion County.
Even after retiring, Ken still loved farming their land and even working in the yard. He kept himself busy on countless projects, which was how he earned the nickname “Mr. Tinkerer”.
A man of faith, Ken was the longest standing member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church, where he had been a member his entire life and had served as a deacon on several occasions.
Being snowbirds, Ken and Merlyn enjoyed spending nearly the past 30 winters at their home in Florida.
An avid golfer, Ken was a regular out at the Marion Country Club, where he was proud to even have hit a hole-in-one. In his younger years, he had played semi-pro baseball and helped coach Little League and Pony League Baseball.
A true one of a kind gentleman, Ken treated everyone with dignity and respect and would help anyone he could. He gave everything in life his all, making the most of every situation and every opportunity.
Most important of all to Ken though was his family. He was proud of his family and their many accomplishments and cherished every moment spent with them.
He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Merlyn Frayer; three children: Barbara (Jerry) Baker, Kenneth (Vicki) Frayer Jr., and John (Kathleen) Frayer, all of Marion; two grandsons and five granddaughters: Tom (Ann) Baker, Michelle (Rory) Woods, Angela Bugno, Pamela Miley, Sara (Jay) Lerner, Tirza (Jeremy) Berridge, and John Mawer; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his grandson, Terry Baker; his great-granddaughter, Brook Lerner; and by three brothers and four sisters, and their spouses: Ernest (Ruthella) Frayer, Harold (Hazel) Frayer, Russ (Helen) Frayer, Mary (Robert) Brown, Ruth (Charles) Smith, Clara Mae (Lawrence) Cocherl, and Marjorie (Allen) Parsons.
The Frayer family will greet friends from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion. Services honoring his life well lived will follow at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Kehn officiating. Burial services will be observed privately prior to the services by his family in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Emanuel Lutheran Church, c/o Building Fund, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, Ohio 43302, or to Marion General Hospital Hospice, 287 Barks Rd., Marion, Ohio 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Kenneth’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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