Ray G. Mars

Ray Mars, 73, of Billings, passed away on Sunday morning, Sept. 22, 2002, at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Ray was born in From-berg on Nov. 7, 1928, a son to Pete and Ver-onica Mars. He graduated from Fromberg High School, served in the Korean Conflict where he re-ceived military honors, worked for the forest service and received his teaching degree from Eastern Montana College. With his deceased wife, Nellie Berckmoes Mars, he had two children, Rhonda and Gene. Ray married Ann Barker in 1971.

Ray taught in the English Department at Senior High for 30 years. During this time, he spent two years at the University of Arizona, where he received his masters degree.

In his retirement years, Ray taught for 15 years in School District 2's Homebound Program. Ray and Ann had recently returned from an adventure in New Mexico where they both taught. Ray enjoyed fishing, coastal trips to Oregon to visit family, gardening, reading and trying to beat his granddaughter, Erica, at card games.

Ray is survived by his wife, Ann and her five children: Gary Barker, Joan Romine, Bill Barker, Susan Rowe and Tom Barker; his son, Gene Mars; his brother, Walt Mars; his sister, Lucille Butcher; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Nellie Mars; his daughter, Rhonda; his two brothers, Clem and Eugene; and his two sisters, Ann Myers and June Murie.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial mass will be offered at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Private family inurnment with military honors will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club, 505 Orchard Lane, Billings, MT 59101.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mor-tuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.