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Charlotte and Harry Memmer and their beloved Gold Wing motorcyle |
Harry Memmer’s widow passes away
Thanks to Ken Krause, former BJ sports editor who lives in Medford, Massachussetts, I didn’t
miss the passing of former 44-year BJ mailroom worker Harry Memmer’s widow.
Here is Charlotte’s obituary:
Charlotte Memmer (88) passed away in her
sleep on March 30 while visiting in the Florida Keys.
Charlotte was born in Fayetteville, Tenn. and in high school moved to the Ellet
area where she remained. She was a homemaker who enjoyed golfing, traveling and
reading. She and Harry visited every state, including Alaska on their Goldwing.
They were charter members of "Chapter T" and "Chapter P"
Goldwing Road Riders Club.
Charlotte enjoyed her family and friends at their cabin in Deep Creek Lake, Md.
She and Harry enjoyed more than two decades of winters in Key Largo; many with
their friends at WBN.
Preceding her in death was her first husband, Ross Varner and husband of 56
years, Harry Memmer, Jr.; and sons, Roger W. Varner, Richard A. Memmer; and
sister, Corneilia Dibble. Surviving are her children, Lorna (Bill) Moore, Norma
(John) Gay, Ron (Dee) Memmer, Bill (Terry) Memmer, Carl (Linda) Varner, Jim
(Barbara) Memmer, and John Memmer; and numerous grandchildren; stepbrother, Ken
Faber; stepsister, Karol (Jim) Simon; and brother-in-law, Wally (Nancy) Memmer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 21, with a service at
4:30 and the Celebration afterwards at Springfield Sr. Center, 2491 Canfield
Rd., Akron, Ohio 44312. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital,
501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105, ID#11271900.
Published
in Akron Beacon Journal from Apr. 15 to Apr. 21, 2018
And here is the June 20, 2015 BJ Alums
blog article that Ken provided:
Beacon Journal mailing room retiree Harry Memmer passed away on Friday. As the
obituary below notes, Harry and his wife, Charlotte, were avid motorcyclists.
Their bike trip to Alaska in 1998 is partially chronicled on this Fairbanks website.
Harry A. Memmer Jr.,
88, passed away peacefully at home with family at his side on June 19, 2015.
Harry lived in Ellet his entire life and retired from the Akron Beacon Journal
after 44 years. He was a veteran in Korea during World War II. Harry and
Charlotte visited every state in the U.S. on their Goldwing motorcycles. Their
highlight was their Alaskan trip. They were charter members of "Chapter T
and Chapter P Goldwing Road Riders Club." They also enjoyed their time and
friends at their cabin in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. They enjoyed many winters
with their WBN friends in Key Largo, Florida. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting,
working puzzles and cross stitching.
Harry is preceded in
death by his parents, Harry and Anna Memmer Sr; sister, Jean Lee; first wife,
Mary (Higgins); sons, Rick Memmer and Roger Varner. He leaves behind his loving
wife of 56 years, Charlotte (Varner); sons, Ron (Dee) Memmer, Bill (Terry)
Memmer, Carl (Linda) Varner, Jim (Barbara) Memmer, and John Memmer; daughters,
Lorna (Bill) Moore and Norma (John) Gay. He leaves behind 20 grandchildren, 23
great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
Calling hours will be held on Monday June 22 from 4-7pm with
memorial service following at 7pm at Newcomer Funeral Home 131 N. Canton Rd.
Akron, OH 44305. Pastor Fred Higgins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials
can be given to Summa Hospice or a charity of your choice.
RIP, Harry and Charlotte.
As a long-time
motorcyclist, beginning at the age of 38, who never reached Gold Wing status, I
envy your accomplishments.
The most I ever harnessed between my legs was a 250
Benelli, 175 Yamaha, 125 Honda and a Penton off-road dirt bike that we took to New York,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
My late friend, electrician Gene Gray of Cuyahoga
Falls, who got me hooked on motorcycles, would be the lead biker and I would be
the last biker in a 15-bike caravan through mostly mountain roads and timber
trails.
The Olesky bikes would be strapped inside our camper till we got to the
camping site, then unloaded to roam that area.
I still remember the stupid thrill of
hitting 85 mph on the Benelli. It was an open, untraveled country road. And the wind into my helmet shield was incredible. But I
wouldn’t recommend that anyone imitate that feat.
When Paula and I stay in The Villages,
Florida, there’s a Gold Wing Club that takes trips to California and back,
among other places.
Keep in mind that you need to be 55 or older to buy a home
in The Villages. It’s common for Villages Gold Wing Club members to be in their
70s.
The Gold Wings run about $30,000 today
with 1833 cc engines. The famed Harley Hog in my riding days was about 1200 cc.
Roar up the Stairway to Heaven and through St. Peter's Gold Gates, Harry and Charlotte, with your gold wings.
And I don't mean only the motorcycle.