Ken Wable, age 91, who served as Mount Union head football coach from 1962-1985, passed away September 6, 2018 in Alliance.
He was born August 22, 1927, in Van Wert, Ohio, to Kenneth R. and Ethel Wable. He was raised from the age of 3 by his grandmother, Dora Wable.
A Navy veteran, Wable earned a bachelor's degree from Muskingum and a master's degree from Kent State University.
A native of Van Wert, Ohio, Wable was a multi-sport athlete at Van Wert High School where he graduated in 1945. He went on to Muskingum College where he was a football and track standout.
In 24 years on the sidelines, Wable won a total of 123 games and was the OAC Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1985. In recognition of his outstanding coaching accomplishments, the OAC presents the Ken Wable Award every year to the conference's outstanding offensive lineman.
In his final year as head coach in 1985, the Purple Raiders had their first undefeated regular season, won their first Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and made their first NCAA Playoff appearance.
Wable also served as head men's golf coach and as a faculty member that helped establish what is now the sport business major at Mount Union.
Wable began his coaching career as head football coach of New London High School in 1952. In 1954, he became an assistant coach at Massillon Washington High School for two seasons (1954-55) before taking his first position in the college ranks as an assistant coach at Wake Forest University. After two years at Wake Forest (1956-57), he returned to Muskingum as an assistant coach for three seasons (1958-60) before spending a year (1961) as an assistant coach at Cornell University.
Survivors include his sister-in-law, Mary Wable of Akron; cousins, Pat McCollum Prichard of Van Wert and Bill Wable of Atlanta; in addition to several other family members, friends and former players.
In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife, June Louise (Tobias) Wable; two sons, Gordon and David Wable; brother, Jack Wable; and sister, Peggy Brown.
Calling hours will be Sunday, September 9th from 5-7 p.m. with a memorial service Monday, September 10th at 11 a.m. at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home - 75 S. Union Avenue, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ken's honor to University of Mount Union to Wable Park or the Gordon Wable Scholarship Fund 1972 Clark St. Alliance, OH 44601.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home.
Cemetery Details
Alliance City Cemetery
541 W. Vine Street
Alliance, OH, 44601
Calling Hours
SEP 9. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral & Cremation Service
75 South Union Avenue
Alliance, OH, 44601
[email protected]
Service
SEP 10. 11:00 AM
Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral & Cremation Service
75 South Union Avenue
Alliance, OH, 44601
[email protected]