Albert John Wakeman died June 7, 2018, in Pandora.

He was born in Binghamton, New York, Nov.12, 1925, to Howard Vermilia Wakeman and Hazel Esther Carey.

Drafted just before high school graduation in 1942, he volunteered for the Navy, learned diesel mechanic skills, and served in World War II on a PT boat until his honorable discharge in May, 1946.

He graduated from Bob Jones University,  (B.A. 1950, M.A. in theology 1952). There he taught Greek and continued his travel adventures, by teaching in Afghanistan.

In 1954 he married Thelma Nesmith of Jacksonville, Florida, and went to the University of Michigan where he completed an M.A. in Linguistics (1955), then moved to Kabul with daughter, Esther, and had three more children while there, Wally, Carol, and John.

In 1962, the family returned to Ann Arbor, where he taught and did further study at the University of Michigan, until 1969, when he began teaching at Malone College in Canton, Ohio.

In 1976, he left teaching to work at Weber Dental and Canton Meter Devices until retirement.

Al and Thelma taught English to Afghan refugees in Pakistan from 1995-96. In 1999, they moved to Pandora, Ohio.

Survivors include his children, Esther (Robert Collins) Wakeman of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wally (Liz) Wakeman of Vancouver, Washington, Carol (Mark) Williams of Pandora, Ohio and John (Lara Brown) Wakeman of Ann Arbor, Michigan; fifteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; a sister, Alma Briggs of Georgia; sisters and brothers-in-law, Iva Huffingham, Carolyn Capp, Ann and Howard Beardslee, Beth and Bill Weitzel of Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, and his brother, Earl Wakeman.

His body was donated to Wright State University medical school. A celebration of Al’s life will be held in the summer of 2019 in Pandora.

 Memorial donations may be sent to Le Pelican, a school for impoverished Afghan children (http://www.lepelican.org/How-To-Help).

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.