June 8, 2006

OBITUARIES

Mary E. Ray

Mary E. Ray passed away June 4 in Columbus. She was 86.

She was born June 30, 1919, near Yellow Springs to the late Lorenz and Margauta (Bergman) Geis. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Yellow Springs, the Senior Center of Yellow Springs and Xenia, Dayton Liederkranz, Singing Society and Friendly Gardeners Club of Yellow Springs. She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, traveling and being with family, including children, grandchildren and great-children.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 18 years, Wilbur E. Ray; first husband, Edward K. Clifton; infant son, Jerry Clifton, infant great-granddaughter, “Heaven”; brothers, Ferd, Leonard and Edward Geis; two nieces and one nephew.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Larry and Celia Clifton of Xenia, Roger and Priscilla Clifton of South Charleston, and Barbara and Gene Pitstick of Springfield; three stepchildren, Steve Ray of Irving, Texas, Mary Anne Ray of Detroit, Mich., Teresa and John Veneman of Chillicothe; six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, John and Nellie Geis of Yellow Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, June 8, at 10 a.m., in St. Paul Catholic Church, Yellow Springs with burial to follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.