Isaac “Ike” Snowden Waite went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005. The long time resident of Oak Harbor was born in Greenwood Township, Wexford County, Mich., June 5, 1926, to Earle Lewis and Jenny Belle (Smith) Waite. He graduated from Manton High School in 1944 and later attended Spring Arbor College. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 where he served until the end of World War II. On June 19, 1946 he married Ruth S. Price.

In 1956 he joined the Navy where he found his career home and proudly served his country, primarily at duty stations in San Diego, until transferring to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1971. He continued to serve until October 1974, when he retired as an MA-1.

After retiring from the Navy he managed the Oak Grove apartments with Ruth until he finally retired for good.

Ike and Ruth were charter members of Family Bible Church in Oak Harbor and continued to faithfully serve the church until 2004 when he moved into Home Place Alzheimer’s Care Facility. Even there he continued to cling to his strong faith and the assurance of his eternal destiny in Christ.

Ike is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Ruth, and their children and spouses, Bethany and James Campbell of Oak Harbor, William and Dorothy Waite of Oak Harbor, Gregory and Janet Waite of Cheney, Wendy and Thomas Vollenweider of San Diego, Phillip and Deborah Waite of Pullman, and Kathy and Paul Seelye of Caledonia, Mich. In addition, he leaves two sisters, Nancee Rutledge and Ardys Cox, as well as 15 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Douglas Waite, and his sisters, Fauna Chahbazi and Tessa Benson.

Ike was well loved for his generous spirit, his sense of humor and perpetually pleasant demeanor and will be greatly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him.

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at Family Bible Church, 2760 N. Heller Road, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ike’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.