Raymond J. Gaisser

Raymond J. Gaisser, 84, of Evansville, died on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at VNA Charlier Hospice Center.

Ray was born on Feb. 14, 1923, in Evansville, to Fred and Sarah (Collins) Gaisser, who preceded him in death. Ray attended Chestnut-Walnut Grade School and Central High School graduating in 1940. At Central, he played basketball and other sports and continued playing basketball on various teams for years, including tryouts for the Pros. He was an avid fan of the University of Evansville.

Ray served in the Army from January 1943 to November 1945, both in North Africa and on the European front. He worked briefly for the United States Postal Service, and then went on to work for the United States Treasury Department for 34 years. He retired in 1981 from the Internal Revenue Service where he was manager of the Collection Division in Evansville.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Donna Elkins and her husband, David, of Boonville, Ind., and Marsha Wingo and her husband, Alan, of Cincinnati, Ohio; his longtime companion and caregiver, Janice Bailey, of Evansville; his sister, Margia Overlin, of Barrington, Ill.; and a sister-in-law, Minona Gaisser of Evansville. In addition, he is survived by seven grandchildren, Andy Elkins and his wife, Jamie, Bryant Elkins and his wife, Debra, Casey Elkins and his wife, Candice, Bradley Wingo and his wife, Carrie, Sarah Farler and her husband, Jason, Jonathan Wingo, and Beth Hopper and her husband, Neil; eight great-grandchildren, Caitlynn, Cole, Cooper, Ethan, and Jaxon Elkins, Drew Hopper, Ellie Wingo and Abigail Farler and several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Ruth (Crosley) Gaisser, in 1977; brothers, Clyde and Harry Gaisser; sisters, Mary Emma Jarboe and Dorothy Stephan; and great-grandson, Benjamin Farler.

Services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, with VNA Chaplain Greg Barnett officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, May 28, from 3 to 8 p.m. and continued on Tuesday, from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery where the Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct graveside services.

Memorial contributions can be made to VNA Charlier Hospice Center of Evansville, P.O. Box 3487, Evansville, IN 47734-9938. Condolences can be made online to the family at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and CNAs at Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center and VNA Hospice Center for their loving care of Ray and his whole family.