Harris Rakestraw, Sr.

Harris Long Rakestraw Sr.

SILVER LAKE - Harris Long Rakestraw Sr., 82, Silver Lake, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, at his home. Mr. Rakestraw worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for 26 years. He was a member of Rubber Workers Union Local No. 307. He served in the Army during World War II and was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct medal and Victory medal. He was born Sept. 17, 1921, in Boxville, Ky., the son of Leamon and Addie Long Rakestraw. He graduated from high school in Uniontown, Ky., in 1941. He moved to Silver Lake in 1959. Mr. Rakestraw was a member of First Baptist Church in Silver Lake, American Legion Post No. 160, Lake Lodge No. 50 AF&AM of Silver Lake, and he was a former member of Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies. He married Virginia Elwanda McCall on Feb. 24, 1943, in Phoenix City, Ala. She died March 27, 2001. Survivors include six sons, Harris Rakestraw Jr. and Mathew L. Rakestraw, both of Topeka, Kenneth Rakestraw, Jeffery Rakestraw and Seth Rakestraw, all of Sil ver Lake, and Ira Lee Rakestraw, Wichita; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel. Burial will be in Silver Lake Cemetery at Silver Lake. An Army Fort Riley detail along with Post No. 160 of the American Legion and Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion will conduct military honors. Mr. Rakestraw will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Silver Lake Senior Citizens Group, 404 E. Lake, Silver Lake, 66539. Condolences may be offered online at www.penwellgabel.com