VINTON - Willis E. Dake, age 98, died Friday, November 9, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness.
    Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 12, 2007 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Karen Lärson officiating.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 3 to 6 PM on Sunday.  A memorial fund has been established.
    Willis was born February 1, 1909 at Mt. Auburn to Clarence L. and Nina (Ellsworth) Dake .  During World War II he served his nation in the US Army and was a member of the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton.
     On August 3, 1930 he married Letha Reid at Eldora and she preceded him in death in1966.  He married Belva Johnson on June 8, 1968 at Vinton.
     Willis owned W.E. Dake Lime and Rock Products, which is now Coots Materials Co., and operated heavy construction equipment.  While living in Garrison he served on the City Council.  He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton and enjoyed spending summer months in Guttenberg and in Hardy, Arkansas
     Willis is survived by his wife, Belva of Vinton; his daughters, Eva Lee Fennern of Atkins, Kathie (Jerry) Adams of Vinton and Carol Rehder of Blue Grass; his son, Tom (Jane) Johnson of Vinton; his son-in-law, Robert Beyer of Garrison; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
      In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Bonnie Beyer; three brothers, LuVerne, Marvin and Harold Dake; his grandson, Tim Beyer; and his son-in-law, Ron Rehder.