Ray E. Withelder

Ray Withelder Obituary

WITHELDER
RAY E., age 23, on July 19, 2005, of Aston; beloved son of Ronald J. Sr. and Sheila (Salmons) Withelder; brother of Ronald J. Withelder Jr. (Lauren) of Chadds Ford and Amanda M. Withelder of Aston; maternal grandson of Ed and Alice Salmons of Brookhaven; paternal grandson of the late Robert L. Withelder and Irma C. Withelder of Folsom. Funeral Service Sat. at 10:30 A.M. at Mt. Hope Methodist Church, 4020 Concord Rd., Aston. Int. private. Euology and Prayer Service Fri. at 5:15 P.M. at THE NOLAN-FIDALE FUNERAL HOME, Chichester Ave. and Concord Rd., Aston, Bethel Twp., where a Visitation will follow Fri. eve from 5:30 to 9 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Ray Withelder Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Sun Valley High School Attn: Mr. Joe Owsley, 2881 Pancoast Ave., Aston, PA 19014.

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Jul. 21, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Withelder

12 Entries

July 19, 2006

Hey Ray Ray,

I can't believe it's been a year since you left us. Sorry I've never written to ya on here, it just hard because it makes me face the fact that you are really gone. I still don't understand why God took you and Ricky from us...it's just not fair. Anyways, I'm sure that you are both up in heaven looking down and making fun of all of us. I hope you are having fun up there. Continue to look out for your family and friends. Miss you and love you Ray Ray.

-Reg

April 5, 2006

Ray...

I seriously wouldn't even know where to start. My brother talks about you a lot. I don't know if it helps him or not, but I know that something in him is different when he does. I never will understand the bond that you "Lyco Guys" have, but from what I've gathered thus far its an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. You were like another brother to him, and sometimes thats exactly what he needed. And when it came to what you were to me.. well I think you already know. Its so surreal, the thought of here one minute, gone the next. I know how much I miss you, and I know how much the pain is for me. But when I put myself in my brothers shoes I can't even begin to fathom. He needs you Ray. All of the guys need you and Ricky to just give them guidance.

Please protect them. They've all been through so much already.

I love you Ray.

Lauren

October 3, 2005

Hey Ray,

You know bud, there isn't a day that goes by that i don't think of you. I can hear your voice, I can see your face... it is two months later and it is still all so surreal. Well, I just wanted to say hi and tell you that I am always thinking of you and I know that everyone else is too. Take care babe.

Always in my Heart.

August 24, 2005

Ray,
I miss you more every day, and it gets harder every day. I know that my brother is having such a difficult time accepting this, please stay with him. He needs to feel that the birdman is still here. I wish there was something I could do to ease his pain, but nothing can bring you back.
Thank you for being one of the first people in my yard this past bike race with Griems, standing by the keg all day holding your ground. One day we're gonna get married, I promise haha. Until then Ray, thanks for the memories. Youre always in my heart.
Love Always.. Alison

Ricky with Ray1

Rick Lannetti

July 27, 2005

I never really met Ray. I just know that he is with my son Ricky right now. I know that Ricky would usually mention that he was with Ray when he got in trouble at Lycoming. And Ricky would say his famous, "It wasnt our fault" or "we weren't even there, Dad". Hah. I know Ray because they named a pair of parakeets Ray1 and Ray2 (very creative college students). I believe it was Ray1 that passed away?(he was swatted out of the air because the Eagles were losing). Then they put him in the George Foreman grill and ate him?

To the family of Ray Withelder: he is in good hands with Ricky Lannetti. I can't tell you how much I miss my son only because there are no words. I pray to be with him every day. I can only tell you that I believe they are in a softball beer league up in heaven somewhere and that they are waiting for us to get there so that we also can REALLY start living.

Please take care.

Beth Summerson

July 25, 2005

His love for movies and music, March Madness and Monday Night Football, family and friends, DCB and any opportunity to crack open a beer. A special bond with Lyco security and administration--no one knew Denise Robinson as well as Ray did. Each one of us raised our voice to Ray only for the argument to end in laughter and probably a tackle to the ground--girl or guy. He never held grudges and greeted every person he passed on College Ave. He was a roamer--slept and showered in every room of Williams and Crever. He ate like a bird. He kept you up all night wanting to hang out and slept the whole next day. He knew the words to every song and every movie ever written. He could also tell you the artist and the actors and the year they came out. Coined the phrase "YOU LOSER" and anyone and everyone became "A LOSER." An extraordinary Trivial Pursuit partner. Loved to sport black socks with thong flip flops--year round. Gave everyone a chance. Couldn't type for anything and always managed to have someone do it for him. Loved his family, loved his friends, loved his life. Big heart, big smile... huge impact. Thanks Ray Ray. Love ya Sucka.

Lauren Evangelist

July 25, 2005

Hey Ray Ray,

Yo sucka! From days to 3rd floor Skeath all the way to senior year, I can't even begin to imagine my years at Lyco without you. Whether it was chillin in the cafe, hanging out watching your highlight films (with you telling me how damn good you were), or getting together the night after a big game, it was better because you were there.

You've been such a big part of my Lycoming experience. I can and will never forget any time I have spent with you (although I would like to forget the time we all ordered wings and you gave Heidi and me the suicide ones telling us that they were mild. Then you watched and laughed as our mouths caught on fire... only you)

At least you're somewhere with Ricky playing football. Thinking that makes me smile. Be safe on the football field, the baseball field, or where ever you are in heaven. Look down and watch over us all. I'll see you around sometime. Love you and miss you always.

Brian Leland

July 25, 2005

I spent 4 years with Ray at Lycoming College. Ray was the kind of guy that whenever you were in a bad mood it didnt last long if he were around. He always had a way of being able to make you laugh when you felt at your worst. He stood up for his friends at any cost and wasnt afraid of anything or anyone. The kind of person you would want your son to be like.

As sad as the funeral was, when Ray's gym teacher stood up and told the story about how at the age of 10 Ray told him he could "beat him at football, baseball, basketball, at anything..." everyone in the place had a smile on there face. That was the guy that Ray was and thats what he should be remembered for. He and Ricky are tearing it up in heaven now, probably doing a room wreck on someone as we are reading this.

Daniel Rush

July 22, 2005

Mandy,their is not a thought or word that I could express at this moment that would ease the emotions that you are feeling.Mandy, you are in my thoughts and prayers with love,Cathleen's Mimi's and Meg's Dad

Alison

July 21, 2005

Knowing Ray means never forgetting him, because everytime you think of him there are just tons of different memories to choose from. Even if you only met him once, I can guarentee that it was an experience that you will not soon forget because he left a lasting impression.(probably because you had the best stories to tell the next day.)

Ray went to school with my brother up at Lycoming, and every time he came to Roxborough to visit, it was just great to spend time with him. I never knew what he was going to say, or what he was going to do next. He told me some of the stories my brother never wanted me to hear, he was honest and completley real. He didn't sugarcoat anything for me, and thats what I liked about him.

The peace of mind that I carry with me now is that he is up there with Ricky and that I have the two best guardian angels that I could possibly ask for. I miss them both, and they are gone entirely way too soon, but all things happen for a reason.

Thank you for the memories Ray. Love you like a brother.

My thoughts and my prayers are with the Withelder family, and all of Rays friends in this difficult time.