Frederick R. Gratop

Fred Gratop was born in Toledo, Ohio to Grayson and Orpha Gratop on December 10, 1941. He passed away peacefully December 11, 2015, one day after his 74th birthday. Fred was a graduate of Libbey High School in Toledo in 1959. He was employed by Haughton Elevator in Toledo before starting his own residential elevator business in Indianapolis and St. Louis. He returned to Toledo to assist Sherry Gratop in the management of Southwyck Bowling Center. Fred was an accomplished bowler in Toledo. He was also an avid Cleveland sports fan, especially the Indians and Browns. Fred became interested in the Indy 500 when he lived in Indianapolis and attended most every race for the past 40 plus years. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Grayson and Orpha; brother, Dale and son, Randy (Lisa). He is survived by Sherry, the love of his life the past 36 years and his loving caretaker since complications from surgery in December 2007. He is also survived by brothers, Gary (Bonnie) and Don (Beth); daughter, Kimberly Wiles of St. Louis and former wife, Karen Potts of St. Louis, mother of his children. Also grandchildren, Kris, Whitney, Courtney, Andrea, Grayson, Cidney and Courtney; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Trinity, Aryah and Audrey and many nieces and nephews. Fred's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers and staff at Lutheran Village Wolf Creek Care Center, Holland Ohio and Gentiva Hospice. Visitation will be at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Avenue in Toledo, December 16, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Fred to Gentiva Hospice or the American Cancer Society .