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Raymond Walter Vrobel, 86, of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born in Westfield, Mass. on Jan. 23, 1925 the son of Joseph and Anna (Drewniak) Vrobel, and soon after the family moved to Kalamazoo. Before finishing high school at Kalamazoo Central, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was involved in the liberation of the Philippines. After WWII, Ray received his G.E.D. and worked briefly at O.S. Anderson Beer Distributors. He retired as a Supervisor with the Upjohn Company after 37 years of employment there. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting and camping.
Ray was married to Patricia Rynd in Kalamazoo on Oct. 2, 1948. She survives along with three children and their spouses, Mike (Susan) Vrobel, Susan (Rick) Eickhoff and Brad (Kelli) Vrobel all of Mendon; seven grandchildren, Joseph (Marcie) Vrobel, Jamie (Nickie) Vrobel, Jeremy (Kristi Gray) Vrobel, Jessica (Josh) Sebranek, Robert Eickhoff, Ryan and Katelynn Vrobel; seven great-grandchildren, Landon and Ashton Vrobel, Alex Eickhoff, Grace and Tess Sebranek, Aiden and Mason Vrobel. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leo, Henry and Walter Vrobel; and by a sister, Stella Ponicki.
In keeping with Ray’s wishes cremation has been conducted. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. A private interment service will take place in Mendon Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com.
