Ray W. Shelmadine, Jr.

Ray W. Shelmadine, Jr., of Mexico, IN, passed away at 4:45 A.M., Friday, January 11, 2019 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Peru. Ray was born in Columbia City, IN on June 5, 1932, the son of Ray W. and Ruth Underwood Shelmadine. Ray married Ellen L. Shipley on March 31, 1960 in Madison, IN and she preceded him in death on March 15, 2015. Ray was a 1951 graduate of Columbia City High School. He served as a NCO in the USAF for more than 20 years, retiring as a MSGT in 1972. His Military decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Ray then worked as a Maintenance Forman at Wilson Food from 1973 – 1993. Ray and Ellen, his bride of 55 years, lovingly raised two beautiful daughters, Beth and Susan. Ray was enjoyed gardening, fishing and bird watching. More than anything Ray loved his family. Nothing meant more to him than his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are his daughters, Beth Confer and her husband Danny of Mexico, IN and Susan Potts and her husband Rick of Cary, NC; grandchildren Jamie (Marcus) Townsend, Jessie (Chad) Salyers, Laura (Tyler) Potts and Matthew Potts; great-grandchildren Gabriella Townsend, Emily Townsend, Wyatt Salyers, Cooper Salyers, Aubrey Salyers, Cameron Salyers and Eden Townsend; a brother Ronald Shelmadine of Columbia City, IN; a sister Connie Miller of Fairborn, OH; and a brother-in-law Fred Saner of Silver Lake, IN. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ellen; brothers Richard, James and Max Shelmadine; sisters Willodene Saner, Fern Keiser, JoAnn Shelmadine and Fay Saner. A service celebrating the life of Ray W. Shelmadine, Jr. will be held at 1:00P.M., Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 West Main Street, Peru with Pastor Jeff Tinney officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico, IN. Graveside services will be provided by the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Family and friends will gather Monday from 4-8 P.M. at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family would like to thank Miller’s Merry Manor for the care they gave Ray.

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