Submitted by: Dan Rich

Raymond Brenner Cordtz

May 31, 1920 - Sept. 23, 2008

South Bend Tribune 9/25/2008
SOUTH BEND - Raymond Brenner Cordtz, 88, of South Bend, died at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2008, in his residence surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born May 31, 1920, in South Bend, to the late Carl J. and Katherine H. (Matela), and was a lifetime area resident. On November 22, 1942, in South Bend, he married Naomi B. Mulhaupt, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Anne K. Harman of Olathe, KS, and Susan M. (Ronald) May of Bloomington, IN; four grandchildren, Michael Christopher Harman, Katherine (Matthew) Stephens, Jennifer and Karen May; numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael R. Cordtz; a sister, Betty Robinson; and a brother, Henry Cordtz. Ray retired in 1987 after 30 years as the co-owner of Wygant Floral Co. and continued to work there until very recently.

He and Naomi traveled extensively throughout the world, including New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, China, Canada and Singapore. Ray said that the greatest thrill of his life was walking on the Great Wall of China. He was an avid, lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and hoped to see them in the World Series. His greatest passion in life was flowers. He especially loved lilies and dahlias, and was a member of the North American Lily Society, the Ohio Lily Society, the American Orchid Society and was an honored member of the Golden Circle of F.T.D. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and was treasurer of the building fund. Ray served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Asia during World War II where he was decorated with three bronze stars. He also was a member of the Pioneer Auto Club and Danish Brotherhood. He was especially fond of animals including his granddaughter Jennifer's border Collie, Keely, who "is the smartest dog I ever saw." Ray lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every single day, especially working in his garden.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26th, in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 51900 Mayflower Road, South Bend, with Rev. Timothy Knauff officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 25th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., and in the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 51900 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46628.