Ray Oeler Obituary

Name: Visitation for Ray Oeler
Start: 2024-02-01T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-01T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home

Ray Oeler Obituary Columbiana - Ray Oeler, age 76, of Columbiana, died peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at his home in Columbiana. He was born on December 2, 1947, in Salem, son of the late William and Edith Flohr Oeler. Ray, a proud and devoted American, served in the U.S. Air Force, he was stationed in Germany during Vietnam and Desert Storm and retired from the military as a Tech Sergeant in 1993. He then worked at Columbiana Boiler and went on to retire from American Standard, Salem. Ray was a devoted member of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church and was a member of the Father Cavanaugh 4th Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Council. He enjoyed baseball and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan. "Let's Go Bucs!" Ray is survived by his three daughters, Shannon Petak of Columbiana, Carrie Martin of Columbiana, and Amanda Burkholder of Bayville, NJ; his beloved companion, Lynn "Cupcake" Williams of Mississippi; a sister, Mary (Robert) Guy of Indian Harbour Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Kaylee (Bryce), Braydon, Bryant, Jason, Cameron and Larissa and a great grandchild, Braxton. "We are family!" The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana. Visitation will also be held on Friday. February 2, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Columbiana. A knights of Columbus rosary service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday to conclude calling hours. Mass will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 am at the St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Columbiana, with Father Chad Johnson officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Benjamin Firestone post #290 American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 180 7th Street Columbiana, OH 44408. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana. Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com "Have a good day and make it a better tomorrow" -Ray

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Mahoning Matters on Jan. 30, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Oeler

3 Entries

Bill Strouse

July 28, 2024

When Ray was not laughing, he had a mischievous silent grin and I knew another adventure was being formulated. For Lynn and the family, Ray and I were friends in the mid-1960´s before his enlistment. He was 11 months my senior...a great friend...so many good times. If my memory serves, he was already in Germany when I left YSU and enlisted in the Army 2/69. After 5 months of training I too was on orders for Germany...Heidelberg. The day the bus show up to take 12 of us to the Airport, I was pulled aside and a week later I was on orders for Hq DOD, the Pentagon. We lost track of each other. After the troop draw-down from Vietnam, I became "excess personnel" at the Pentagon and was discharged early under Sec. of Defense Executive Order "Early Out" authority. In the years that followed, visited home only three times. I phoned to talk to Ray the last time in 12/2010 when I saw his name in a phone book; but we never connected. I bought a ranch in West Central New Mexico in the spring of 2011 intending to retire. I´ve never worked this hard in my life. Then sometime last fall I saw one of his posts on Facebook about Lynn...I smiled...I knew Lynn, again mid-1960's, but not well...we traveled in different circles. I should have left a written a note on the post...I didn't. Beginning in 4/72 I traveled extensively to every State in the USA, six Canadian Provinces, one Canadian Territory and one other country...all on business. I've lived in seven of those States and one of Canadian Provence. As we age, we visit regrets. We cannot hold them back but we cannot allow them to hold us back either. Our losing track should not have been such a regret. My memory of Ray will always be...one of the good guys...seriously! I'm sure you all miss him...I did and still do. May God find Ray´s name in the Book of Remembrance and know him well... (Malachi 3:16-4-6). May your memories of Ray keep you and bless you all.

Cindy Cook

January 30, 2024

I am so sorry to hear about Ray. He was a great guy and I know he is in heaven instigating like he did here. God bless you Ray. Rest in peace

Around Creps Coleman

January 30, 2024

I will miss you cuz from the bottom of my heart. It was great that we were able to be together after 54 years this past Labor Day. I will always remember our fun times at our family reunions and our Canfield vs Columbiana football games. I love you Ray . You are in God's arms now. Love, Carol and of course Joe

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results