Frank J. Raeske

Frank J. Raeske, III was born to the late Frank J. Raeske Jr., and Esther (Heiden) Raseske on May 16th, 1947 in Toledo, Ohio. On Monday April 21, 2025 at 11:40 am, Frank received his heavenly summons to leave his earthly home to begin the second part of his journey in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ to the streets of eternal glory.

Frank was educated in the public schools of Toledo and graduated as his class valedictorian in 1965 from Macomber High School.

Past graduation, he enlisted in the United States Military (the Army) where after extensive entry testing it was determined he would not be sent to Vietnam but rather assigned to a special unit of government services earmarked in developing the means and ways of protecting the United States of America against foreign invasion. His outstanding grasp of mathematics and electronics and his work in the United States Army afforded him numerous patents and trademarks.

Past ten years of service in the military, Frank earned his bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College in Business and Finance. He assumed a part-time position with Owens Community College teaching classes in mathematics and electronics. He also accepted a full-time position at Champion Spark Plug in Toledo where he served the greater part of 25 years as head of the research and development department (laboratory) engaged in engine combustion and spark plug performance. He again earned several more patents and trademarks during his tenure.

During this time Frank also started his own business “Special Systems and Services” lasting the greater part of 15 years which he provided professional computer consultations as well as network administration services to numerous law firms and independent businesses throughout Northwest Ohio and parts of southern Michigan.

Frank met his first wife, Barbara Grindstaff in the early 1970’s. They were married in 1973. Frank and Barbara were blessed with a daughter, Rebecca.

Past his daughter’s graduation from college and his retirement from Champion, Frank felt he could now concentrate on a direction in ministry, which he had carried in his heart for many years.

Frank’s Christian underpinnings and his faith and belief in the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ were nurtured and fostered throughout his early life and guided especially by his mother, Esther and maternal grandmother Olga Heiden. His early years were spent at Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served as an acolyte and communion helper.

In early 2000 he was accepted in the Northwest Ohio Synod SAM (Synod Authorized Ministry) program, completing 3 years in the educational program, followed by a 1-year internship (2003-2004) at Grace Lutheran Church in Elmore, Ohio. Frank often said it was his “work at Grace and with that congregation that taught me the purpose of faith and the ability to truly serve others”. He accepted an offering of a permanent position at Grace following that internship and spent 18 years serving that congregation.

Frank’s second SAM ministry was offered to him at Zion Lutheran Church in Luckey, Ohio. He served at that Church for almost 5 years.

He was offered a SAM ministry by the Northwest Ohio Synod and accepted that position at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Toledo. He served as minister at St. John’s until his passing in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Frank’s ministry and service as a disciple of Christ, included youth confirmation classes, bible studies, visiting the sick and prayer, sermons, church leaderships and outreach to the community. His sermons and his ability to listen to others and support others became his most important trademark in his later years.

Frank was unselfish when it came to others. He would feed you if you were hungry, listen and pray with you through your toughest times, and stand strong when you needed him. He trusted and believed in God in everything he did and truly was a man that walked by faith.

Past the death of his first wife in 2013, Frank met and married Anna Maria Kennedy Rohloff. He believed in family and the importance of family sticking together and working to help each other out. He was an example to his family on how to deal with life changes and how to deal with daily life and continued service to God and others along the way. When asked what he would like to be said about himself he said, “tell them, Annie, I was a humble servant of God seeking to do his will”.

Frank was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara and his mother and father.

Truly missed by his daughter, Rebecca (Stephen); granddaughter, Charlotte Grinch; his sister, Nancy Olzak; as well as nieces and nephews, Jay, Kerrie, Brenden and Samantha; and of course, his Annie, the girl that walked him home…Also left to cherish his precious memory is his Kennedy family; Angela and David, Trish, Stephen, Scott, Alexa and Julio, Margeaux and Shane, and of course our little Joseph.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 12:00 pm until the time of the candlelight service at 6:30 pm in Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St, Perrysburg, OH 43551.

A church memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the regular church service at 10:30 am in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 708 S. Erie St, Toledo, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Food Bank. Condolences can be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com