Harry Frederick Vickers

VICKERS Harry Frederick Harry Frederick Vickers of North Baltimore, OH, (formerly of Rossford and Maumee, Ohio), died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at age 81. He was born February 14, 1927, in Barwell, Leicestershire, England to Harry and Elsie (Meller) Vickers, and served in the British Signal Corps at the end of WWII. He met his future bride, Ruth J. Dickson (of Detroit, Michigan, now deceased) in Japan during the occupation. After a 2-month romance they were married in Tokyo on October 11, 1947. Harry and Ruth (Vic and Dixie as they called each other) lived in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England for 3 years, during which time (in December 1948) their first child, Theresa Ann (now deceased) was born. With the help of Ruth's dad, in 1951 they relocated to Toledo and then Rossford and Maumee, OH, where Harry became a die maker and supported his family of eventually 4 children (1952 Nancy Jean, 1959 Harry Frederick Jr. and 1963 John Dennis). As a hobby and for a little extra cash Harry also fixed TV's on the side and had a Sunday paper rural delivery job for a short time, too. He also enjoyed remodeling the house, and gutted and remodeled every room in the Maumee house in the '60's and '70's. Harry loved America and became a U.S. citizen in 1956 or 57. He always appreciated being welcomed into this country with open arms, and also the opportunities to make a good living, even investing in a little real estate and saving money in an IRA, both of which, along with Social Security, have more than sustained him in an assisted living facility (Blakely, then Briar Hill of North Baltimore) for the last 6 years. Harry was a member of the Eagles in Rossford and Maumee and also enjoyed camaraderie at the Polish Club in Rossford. He and Ruth enjoyed going out once in a while "for a drink and some dancing" with their friends, ending up at the house where Ruth fixed everybody a hamburg and coffee in the wee hours (way before the days of 24-hour fast food). Harry and Ruth looked like Cinderella and Prince Charming when they danced together. Every 4th of July Ruth got up in the morning and declared, "Down with the British!" to Harry; then they both laughed. He missed Ruth deeply when she died June 4, 1989 of breast cancer, but now they are both dancing before the Lord in heaven! Harry was preceded in death by not only his parents; wife and daughter, Theresa, but also by 2 brothers, Richard and John (Jack); 2 nephews, Tim and Mick, and one niece, Janet. English family remaining are sister-in-law, Dorothy and niece, Jennifer, along with several grand nephews and nieces, etc. Surviving are two sons, Harry F. Jr. (Harrison) and John Dennis (Jack); a daughter, Nancy and son-in-law, Jim Hindley and 7 grandchildren, Anthony and Jessica Vickers, Nathaniel (and Shannon) Hindley, Amanda (Hindley) (and Kevin) Masney, Justin (and Shana) Hindley, Alexa Hindley and Garrett Hindley; also two great-grandchildren, Summer and Amber Hindley. Visitation will be Sunday, July 6th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Maison - Dardenne - Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St, Maumee, OH. Funeral service will be held Monday, July 7th at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Carlos Hernandez of Solid Rock Ministries of Oregon, Ohio officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Solid Rock Ministries. www.walkerfuneralhomes.com