RAY, Robert
Source: Attica Star Friday, June 23, 1989
Lafayette—Robert Ray, 73, 3618 Golden Lane, Lafayette, died at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 1989 in St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center. He had been in failing health since March 1988 and hospitalized for 12 weeks.
He was born March 19, 1916 in Lafayette. He was married March 15, 1947 in Mount Zion Methodist Church to Elizabeth “Betty” Morehouse, who survives. She formerly was a home demonstration extension agent at Winamac. She also taught school in Boswell, Wallace, Linden, Klondike and at Sunnyside before retiring.
He was a lifelong resident of Tippecanoe County and his family had lived in the county for more than a century. He graduated from Wea High School in 1934 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1941.
He was retired from the Indiana State Employment Security Division. He worked there 22 years, from 1957 until 1978, and he also farmed in Wea Township.
He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church and was on the administrative board at the church. He was active in the Challengers Sunday school Class and Sunday Night Bible Class and also taught the seventh and eighth grade Sunday school class for many years.
He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable in both Greencastle and Tippecanoe County and was a life member of Noon Optimist Club and Tippecanoe County Historical Society.
He had served as committee chairman for the 4-H Strawberry festival for many years; was a member of Sons of the American Revolution and Farm Bureau and he was a Farm Bureau placement manager.
He was a World War II Air Force veteran, serving in England with the 8th Air Force, 100th Bomber Group, 418th Squadron and was shot down over Berlin in the first raid of that city. He was held prisoner for 13 months by the 4th Luftwaffe in northern Lithuania near the Baltic Sea.
Surviving besides his wife are two sons, David R. and Gregory D., both of Lafayette; two brothers, Gerald M., Green Valley, Ariz., and John, rural Attica; one grandchild, Kari Marie Ray, and two step grandsons, Eric and Todd Lineback. He was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil and a sister, Jeanette Weher.
Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Landis-Loy Funeral Home, Lafayette. The body will lie in state from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. Saturday in Trinity United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dr. Gary Forbes will officiate and burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, south of Lafayette. – thanks to S