Gretchen R. Whitton

Gretchen Ray Whitton, of St. Joseph, passed on peacefully after a long illness on March 4th, 2006, the day before her 58th birthday celebration, in Gilead Elder Care, St. Joseph, Michigan. Gretchen was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on March 5th, 1948, to Helene and Dean K. Ray, Sr. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University in Fine Arts Education, Gretchen was a gifted and original artist who taught art in the St. Joseph School System for 13 years. She was a fun-loving, exuberant person with a deeply eccentric and wildly unique, mischievous perspective on life and living. Those whom Gretchen left behind have all been impressed by her openness, her seemingly inexhaustible reserve of kindness, optimism, generosity and her desire to love, share and laugh with all around her. Gretchen's legacy is the impression of a unique and unconventional understanding of beauty and creativity to her students and those around her. She will be intensely missed by all whom she knew and loved. She is survived by her son, Justin Ray Whitton, of Traverse City; stepdaughter, Leslie Ann Van Buskirk of Indianapolis; four sisters, Karen Ray (Marshall) Leeds of Valparaiso, IN, Kathleen Ray of Sylvania, OH, Deborah Ray of San Francisco, CA, and Ann Elizabeth Ray (Darryl Davis) of Cincinnati, OH; one brother, Dean K. Ray, Jr. (Kathleen Andries-Ray) of St. Joseph; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis J. Whitton and her parents. There will be an informal gathering of friends and family on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the home of Dean K. Ray, Jr., 1215 Harriet Avenue, in St. Joseph. Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation and the Krasel Art Center. Those wishing to sign the guestbook or share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com