Ray Harter, 71

Raymond Conrad Harter, age 71, formerly of Mendon, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Battle Creek. He was born in Sturgis on Dec. 5, 1946 the son of Lewis M. and Arlene G. (Gest) Harter. Ray graduated from Centreville High School in 1965 where he played on the undefeated football team. Ray enlisted with the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968 where he served in Viet Nam and received a Purple Heart Medal. He was employed at Americraft in Sturgis for 34 years. Ray was a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment #410. He enjoyed sports, especially Detroit Lion football and Tiger baseball. Old western movies were his favorite TV pastime.

Ray was married to Harriet Brandys on Nov. 3, 1973 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon. She survives along with two children, Ryan Harter of Portage and Gina (David) Start of Hudsonville; four grandchildren, Brad, Tyler, Logan, and Alexis; great-grandson, Luka Harter; four siblings, Judy Knight of White Pigeon, Fred Harter of Union, Ellen Quinn of Boaz, AL, and John (Barbara) Harter, Jr. of Sturgis; several nieces, nephews, and in-laws; and by his faithful dog, Gidget. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, June Baldwin and Coral Williams.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm on Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, and where the Rosary will be recited at 6 pm. The funeral mass will be 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon with Msgr. Thomas Martin officiating. Interment of cremains will follow in St. Edward Catholic Cemetery with military rites by the US Marine Corps Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League Detachment #410. Memorials may be directed to Marine Corps League Detachment #410, or the Parkinson’s Foundation. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com