Raymond R. Schwartz, Sr., age 91, of Merrill, died Saturday, December 19, 2015, at St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Ray was born October 21, 1924, in Milwaukee, son of the late William and Vera Schwartz. He married Verna Edmund on August 10, 1946, in Irma, Wisconsin, a union that lasted over 69 years. She survives. Ray spent 21 years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain. Ray served his county in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. During World War II Ray was stationed in England, France, and Germany. During the Korean Conflict Ray had TDY assignments in Japan. Ray also found himself stationed in Turkey, California, and finally back in England at the time he retired from the Air Force. Ray’s second career was with the State of Wisconsin. He spent 20 years with the Department of Transportation working as a Driver’s License Examiner. Ray was a member of the American Legion, and was a proud participant of the “Honor Flight”. He was a member of the Merrill Evening Lions Club for the past 46 years, and was a former treasurer of the group. Ray enjoyed rebuilding things like campers, antique clocks, and modifying cars into ‘hot rods’. Ray and Verna were members of the “Valley Bummer’s” for 20 years. This was a camping club that met once a month and Ray was a former president of the organization.
Survivors include his wife Verna Schwartz, Merrill; three sons, Gary (Mary) Schwartz, Merrill, Randy (Theresa) Schwartz, Cumming, Georgia, and Ray (Ellie) Schwartz, Jr., Merrill; six grandchildren, Carla (Andy) Lefeber, Stacy Werner, Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer (David) Sitz, Kelly (Jeff) Stebbeds, Kristin (Master Sergeant Branden) Harland, and Andrew Schwartz; and eight great grandchildren, Tyler, Brenden, Madison, Lucas, Wyatt, Henry, Ella, and Phoebe. Besides his parents, Ray is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth Schwartz, and two brothers, William and Richard Schwartz.
The funeral service will begin at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Creswell will officiate. Burial will follow in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Tuesday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:30 AM Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, T.B. Scott Library in Merrill for large print books, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.