Waitsel L. “Gummy” Wright, 86, of Akron, passed away peacefully at 1:20 p.m. Dec. 10, 2012, in his residence, after an extended fight with cancer. He was born Aug. 14, 1926, in Silver Lake, to Ed and Bertha Allen Wright. He was married to Adeline Matzat until 1971. She preceded him in death. He retired from NIPSCO in 1986 after 26 years of service as a welder. Before working for NIPSCO he formerly worked at Buckeye Pipelines. He was a 1944 graduate of Silver Lake High School. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 79, Rochester, and prior to its closing, was a member of Akron Masonic Lodge 659, where he was a past master. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as part of the Armed Guard serving on the S.S. Tuskagee. He was a member of the former Manitou Trotting Association. He enjoyed fishing and farming. He 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 Olive Branch Church of God and Pleasant Valley United Baptist Church, Silver Lake. Surviving are four daughters: Karen Frolick, Akron; Sharon (and spouse Jay) Heckaman, Silver Lake; Shelly (and spouse Keith) Davison, Warsaw; and Brenda (and spouse Tom) Lester, Noblesville; three sons: Bruce Hogue, Royce (and spouse Anita) Wright and Rodney (and spouse Carrie) Wright, all of Akron; a daughter-in-law, Janet Wright, Claypool; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Garry and Larry Wright; a daughter-in-law, Diana Hogue; three grandchildren: Josie Heckaman, Aaron Williams and Aubrey Hogue; a sister, Catherine; three brothers, Otto, Eddy Junior and David Wright; a half sister, Edna; and a half brother, Hebrew. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Pastor Frank Whitaker officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake, with graveside military rites by members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard. Calling is from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a Masonic memorial service at 7 p.m. ***** Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice Condolence may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
