RAYMOND EARL "RAY" WHITING

Raymond Earl "Ray" Whiting, age 81, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 10:56 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on July 17, 1931 in Monterey, IN, he was the son of Earl and Mary (Ruschau) Whiting.

He graduated from Knox High School with the Class of 1949. He moved to LaGrange in 1968 and to Columbia City in 1973. He married Beverly J. Lewellyn on September 15, 1950 in Knox. Ray began his career with United Telephone Company as a lineman in Knox. After 40 years of service he retired in 1991 as District Manager from LaGrange and Columbia City. Ray was a member of the United Methodist Church and was a former firefighter with the Knox and LaGrange Fire Departments. He was a member of the Fur Takers of America, National Rifle Association and also a former member of both the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Beverly J. Whiting of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Judy (Jack) Moore of Columbia City and Jackie (Wayne) Stubbs, Elkhart; the pride and joy of his life were his grandchildren, Nicole Moore, Matt (Anna) Moore, Scott and Marcus Moore, Nicholas and Alec Stubbs and great granddaughters, Makenna Rae and Mya Moore; siblings including, Eleanor (Dan) Roscka of Knox; Howard (Sandy) Whiting of Michigan City; Vern (Phyllis) Whiting of Monterey; Betty Larva of Knox; Darlene (Dick) Ogel of Rochester; Pat Zobrist of Knox and Carole (Mel) Mahler of Plymouth. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2013 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will follow calling at noon Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Thomas Beers of the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene officiating. Memorial bequests may be given in memory of Mr. Whiting to the American Heart Association. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.