Ray Marshall, 73

Raymond Lee “Ray” Marshall, age 73, of Mendon, died Monday Feb. 18, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Sycamore, IL on Aug. 8, 1939 the son of the late Raymond Mason and Charlotte L. (Benner) Marshall. The family later moved to Hedrick, Iowa where Ray graduated from High School. There he played football and basketball and joined the Army Reserves. Ray joined the Navy in 1957 and while home on leave in 1959 he met his future wife Rosanne Marie Pierce in Cedar Rapids. They were married on June 23, 1961 in Tennessee.

Over the course of Ray’s Naval career the family moved 25 times across the country. Ray retired as a Naval Commander in 1992 and resided briefly in Minnesota before moving to Mendon in 1994. He was a 40 year volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America and served as Kalamazoo District Director, and was the District Executive for 10 years. Ray was an active member of the Mendon United Methodist Church, the Emmaus Program, and was the Lay Speaker Director of the Albion District for 15 years. Ray was a Life Member of Kiwanis International and twice served as Lt. Governor of Michigan District 12. He was active in the annual Mendon Kiwanis Showboat where he served as Captain and Treasurer, and was currently the Secretary of the Mendon Kiwanis Club.

Ray is survived by his wife, Rosanne; 4 children, Raymond Kirk Marshall of Destin, FL, Renee Lynn Redfield of Huntsville, AL, Rosemary Ann Nechodom (Dan) of Dayton, WA, and Rebecca Sue Crawford (Bill) of Statesboro, GA; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; a sister, Janet Siesseger of Donna, TX; 2 brothers, David Marshall (Cheryl) of Anamosa, IA and Charles Marshall (Terry) of Kansas City, MO; nieces and nephews; and his mother in law, Violet Pierce of Mendon.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Mendon United Methodist Church with Rev. Dave Knapp, Interim Pastor and Rev. Cliff Radtke, Pastor of the Lawrence United Methodist Church officiating. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. In keeping with Ray’s wishes, cremation will follow services. The family suggests that memorials be directed to The Mendon United Methodist Church, Boys Scout Troop 427, Cub Scout Pack 427, or to Boy Scouts of America. Online condolences may be left at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com