Richard A. "Big Wa" Wandtke Richard A. Wandtke, 76, passed away peacefully, in his sleep, in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday, March 16, 2003 after a long illness. He was born in Point Place, Ohio on August 14, 1926. Richard lived most of his life on the east-side of Toledo until his retirement from the Sun Oil Company, after 43 years, as a boilermaker and welder. He attended Immanuel Lutheran elementary school and Waite High School, where he excelled in football as quarterback under coach Jack Mollenkopf. After graduating from Waite in 1944, he received ascholarship and went on to play football at Ohio State University. That year the team went undefeated and became the Big 10 Conference Champions. Richard then enlisted in the United States Army serving at Fort Benning, GA as a drill instructor. He married his high school sweetheart, Ila Lee Wilkinson, whom he was married to for 57 years. Dick, as known by his friends, enjoyed an active life fishing, hunting, bowling, boating, camping, playing softball and traveling, which he enjoyed with his family. He was a past Commodore of Cooley Canal Yacht Club, member of the Blue Gavel and a past member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Fortilla 1010, where he taught safe boating classes. He coached youth hockey for GTAHA and TOHYA for 11 years. He was a world class welder who taught welding at Hobart School in Troy, Ohio.His everlasting love and devotion to his wife, children and especially his three granddaughters was unconditional. The family will miss his endless sense of humor, love and affection. He is survived by his loving wife, Ila; daughter, Darla (Don) Harbaugh; son, Gary (Bonnie); sister, Judy (James) Smith; granddaughters, Holly and Nikki Harbaugh and Darla Wandke. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Edith (Harry)Wandtke; brother, LeRoy and sisters, Lucille Windersmith and Doris Mack. Visitation will be held in the Eggleston-Meinert Funeral Home, Coy Road Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road on Saturday from 2-5 and Sunday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. with Cooley Canal Yacht Club Services at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with entombment following in Historical Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions in Dick's honor be madeto Waite High School Richard Wandtke Scholarship Fund, 301 Morrison, Toledo, OH 43605. Visitation: Visitation Times 5-9 Saturday 2-5 & 7-9 Sunday Coy Road Chapel