Ray De Witt

Raymond "Ray" De Witt, 63, of Sunset Beach, NC, recently from Newton, NC and formerly of Michigan, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 in Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Born in Zeeland, MI on December 10, 1950, Ray was a son of the late William De Witt, Sr., and Martha Postma De Witt. Ray attended Zeeland Public High School, Zeeland, MI and after high school worked for the family business, Bil-Mar Foods, Zeeland, MI for many years. Ray and his wife were car owners in both the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series for nearly a decade, from 1988 through 1997. They were also car owners in both the ARCA and ASA national touring series for over a decade. Ray was a past member of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors. Ray was a member of Jennies Branch Baptist Church and will be remembered for his love of family, enjoyment of a good conversation, good food, and road trips which he always seemed to know where the best restaurants were. He was preceded in death by a sister, Julia Morrison. Survivors include his wife Diane Seelman De Witt of Newton, NC; son Michael De Witt (Robyn) of Grand Haven, MI; daughters, Rebecca "Becki" D. Gorton (Matt) of Plainwell, MI; Jennifer Tilley (Billy) of Maiden, NC; Judy De Witt of Newton, NC; step-son Brent Seelman (Christine) of Newton, NC; brother, Bill De Witt, Jr. of Holland, MI; sister, Shirley DeDoes (Ron) of Collinsville, TX; brother-in-law, Jobe Morrison of Dayton, OH; grandchildren, Chase De Witt, Ravyn De Witt, Scott De Witt, Michaela Gorton, Elizabeth Gorton, Mark Gorton, Isiah Tilley; step-grandchildren B. Jacob Seelman and Danielle Seelman; companion Brenda J. Mongold of Sunset Beach, NC. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Ocean Isle Beach, NC by the Reverend Henry Rehder and the Reverend Bill Sirginson. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 3, at Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte. Funeral services in Michigan will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Rusk Christian Reformed Church, 10354 92nd Avenue, Allendale, MI 49401. Pastor Mark Neymeiyer will officiate. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Friday at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 South State Street, Zeeland. Interment will be in Rusk Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Motor Racing Outreach, 5555 Concord Parkway, Concord, NC 28027 or the American Heart Association. www.yntemafh.com