Henry "Hank" Charles Annable

Henry "Hank" Charles Annable of Oberlin passed away on October 11, 2023, from complications of prostate cancer at the age of 94. He joins his devoted wife of 47 years, Suzanne (Suzie) Marguerite Annable, who passed away in 2000. Hank was born on June 28, 1929, in Oberlin and was a graduate of Oberlin High School where he was also known as "Herk". Hank attended Michigan State College.

Hank was an avid outdoorsman his entire life. He started trapping muskrats as a youth and continued that activity until his late 80s. While in high school he and two friends drove a Model A Ford to Seattle, Washington camping along the way. In early 1949 Hank and two buddies retrofitted an Army six-by-six truck for a wild trip to Alaska. The modern "49ers" completed the 5,000 mile trip in just over a month. The trio's goal was to look for adventure and something new in the Alaska wilderness. The group found work along the way and once they got to Alaska.

Hank joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and served proudly in Germany during the Korean War. After his service he met his future wife Suzie James of Lorain and they Married in 1953. Because of Hank's adventurous spirit he took his new bride back to Alaska where he found work in assorted jobs. Two of the couple's 3 children were born in Alaska. Hank and his family moved back to Oberlin in 1957 where he found work as an apprentice carpenter. He became  an accomplished carpenter and cabinet maker and worked for the Buildings Department at Oberlin College for 30 years. Examples of Hank's craftmanship can be found in nearly every building on Oberlin College's campus.

Hank was one of the founding members of the Keelhaulers Canoe Club in 1967. The club founded the annual Vermilion River canoe race in 1968 which ran for more than 50 years. Hank competed nearly every year and when he couldn't paddle anymore, he became the official starter for the duration of the race's years. He continued his membership in the club until his death. His love for the outdoors was handed down to his three children who became accomplished boaters. His children have vivid memories of the many river, lake, and wilderness trips they had with Dad. Hank loved to bowl in the winter months and was a member of many different leagues in the area. He was  also an avid supporter of the Cleveland Guardians, Cavs, and Browns. He believed it was important to donate blood and platelets to the Lorain County Blood Bank and did so his entire adult life on a bi-monthly basis.

Hank is survived by his son Tom (Chris) Annable of Amherst; daughter Maureen (Jon) Rice of Oberlin and son Chuck (Monica) Annable of Brunswick, Maine; and grandchildren Andrew (Stephanie), Mara (Jon), Nate (Morgan), Sam and Max.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Suzie; parents John and Irene (nee Davies) Annable, and brothers, Bernie and Bill Annable.

A private burial will take place at Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin. In lieu of flowers, consider donating blood or platelets to your local blood bank in Hank's honor. Visitation will take place at Cowling Funeral Home, 228 S. Main St., Oberlin from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Online condolences may be made to www.cowlingfuneralhomeoh.com.

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