Reverend Allan G. Wilkes went home to be with the Lord on December 20, 2012. Rev. Wilkes once served the First Baptist Church of Tiffin, along with other ABC/Ohio churches. He was born June 10, 1929 to the late Albert and Mary Wilkes in Pittsburgh, PA. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Esther Ruth Helman whom he married on October 9, 1954.
Al is also survived by his children: Lee; Tim(Gloria) - grandson Timmy(Erica) - great granddaughter Brianna; Jim(Tammy) - grandson Joey; Debbie(Andy)Tuttle - grandchildren Josiah, Sarah, Thaddaeus; Jon(Cindy) - grandchildren Ashley, Chad(Savannah), Tyler, Tori and brothers David of Rootstown, Duane of Mogadore and sister Helen Redmond of Kent. He was preceded in death by his brother Lane. Al graduated from Garfield High school in Akron in 1947 and Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, TN in 1951 where he was class valedictorian, editor of the Temple Chimes, school yearbook for two years and started the basketball team. Al began attending the Thomastown Baptist church in Akron to play basketball. Shortly thereafter a radical change came into his life. On March 6, 1948, Al received Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior. Six months later, on September 1, 1948 he preached his first sermon at Calvary Baptist Church in Akron. He was ordained in October 1951 at Highland Park Baptist in Chattanooga, TN by Dr. Lee Roberson, thus beginning a lifelong journey of ministry for 63 years. He was executive director of Youth for Christ in Akron and Canton for 20 years. He also served as Ohio State Youth Evangelist during this time. He served as Minister of Finance at Gilead Baptist Church in Taylor, MI and Director of Development at Baptist Park School. He taught at Cornus Hill Bible College and Akron Bible Institute. Al pastored four churches over the years in Akron and Stow OH, Birmingham, AL and retired from First Baptist Church in Tiffin, OH in 2001. However, Al's ministry didn't stop. He was the interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Defiance and West Mansfield Baptist church after retiring. Al was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church and has been teaching and serving there as much as was possible, where he was loved and greatly appreciated. Al's lifelong dedication to serving Jesus has been life changing for the many people he influenced over his years of service.
