James H. Peake

James H. Peake, age 91, of Toledo, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2014 at his home. He was born in Toledo to James Hal and Elizabeth (Williams) Peake on February 21, 1923.  Jim was a 1941 graduate of Macomber High School and served in World War ll in the China-Burma-India Theater in the Army Air Corp.  He married his hiking club sweetheart, Nancy Jeschka, in 1949, and were married for 61 years until her death in 2010. Together they raised four loving children.  Jim was employed for 41 years with Ohio Bell as a craftsman and foreman, retiring in 1982.   In his retirement years, he worked for the ProMedica Physician Group for 8 years.  Jim also volunteered many years at The Toledo Hospital which he truly enjoyed. He was a member and past president of the Maumee Valley Chapter, Seaway Commanders Chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society or SPEBSQSA. Jim loved barbershop singing and was a member of the quartet, The Racket Squad, which performed at many local functions. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and the Seaway Commanders, singing in many foreign countries. Jim had a passion for collecting old cars. He was active with the Glass City Chapter of the Buick Club of America where he was past director and long-time editor and was a member of the Greater Toledo P.T. Cruiser Club for many years. He was also a past member of the West Toledo Exchange Club. Jim and Nancy were long-time members of Collingwood Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon and elder. In his later years, he became a member of Mayfair Plymouth Congregational Church. He was also an avid Ohio State and Mud Hens fan. Jim leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Steven (Karen) Peake, Jeffrey (Carol) Peake, Laura (Kevin) Dale and Linda (Roger) Wilkins; grandchildren, Jamie (Renee) Wilkins, Greg (Robyn) Wilkins, Lindsay (Aaron) Koontz, Sarah (Mark) Strausbaugh, Heather (Mark) Pietrowski, Daniel (Britnye) Peake, Rachel Peake, Megan (Jacoby) Whitacre and Eric Dale;  21 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; loving companion, Adella Shearman and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife,  he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Shaffer. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) where funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2014.  Interment and military honors will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.  Memorial contributions may be made to SPEBSQSA, Maumee Chapter, Maumee High School, 1147 Saco St., Maumee, OH 43537.  Jims family would like to thank West Park Place Senior Management Care and ProMedica Hospice for their care.  Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.