William J. Verkest, Sr.

A funeral service celebrating the life of William J. Verkest, Sr., 80 of Fostoria, formerly of Newark, will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service with Pastor Eric Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery with military honors observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance. William was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 3, 1942 to the late Albert and Bernice (Bisby) Verkest. He passed away in Fremont, Ohio on May 25, 2023. William proudly served his country in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War. He was a tool and die maker by trade and he helped build the B1-Bomber at Rockwell International, which is what brought him to Ohio from Michigan. He was a former member of the American Legion, Post #85 in Newark. He enjoyed fishing, camping, working on cars, playing cards, going out to dinner, woodworking, gardening, playing Yahtzee and going for rides with his wife and getting ice cream. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy J. Verkest; children, Robin Verkest, Jody (Leanne) Verkest and Wendy (John) Church; brothers and sisters, Robert Verkest, Tom Verkest, Suzanne Lenz and Karen Verkest; stepchildren, Kevin (Lisa) Fisher and Michelle Fisher; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan (Pate) Verkest; son, William Verkest II; and brothers and sister, Richard Verkest, Marlene Gasiewski, Beverly DeGrande and Maryanne Verkest. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of William to the American Legion, Post # 85 in Newark. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Visit www.HoskinsonFuneral.com to share a special memory about William or to sign an online guest book. Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for William and the Verkest family.