Onvie Bray

Onvie Bray, age 81, passed away on December 29, 2025 at his home in Bloomington, Indiana after a years long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Onvie was born in 1944 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Wilson and Pauline Bray. He grew up in Somerset, Kentucky and Clinton County, Indiana where he farmed with his family, mainly cattle farming. The oldest son of 15 children, Onvie was a dependable and hard working son and brother who was committed to providing for his family.
Onvie married his sweetheart, Betty Chitwood in Adams, Indiana, on a snowy spring evening. They settled in Hanover and then later in New Whitleland where he has a long career as a master carpenter, house builder, and cabinet maker working on hundreds of homes throughout central and southern Indiana. Side by side they raised their two children, Joanna and Allen, modeling a simple life - faithfully serving in their local church and loving their family and neighbors together. A man of faith and quiet conviction, Onvie was a member of fxchurch in Bloomington.
Pawpaw to his grandchildren who were his pride and joy, he built a tree house for hours of play; made cookies for birthdays and holidays; pushed strollers on walks and swings in the park; played games before school; rebounded countless basketballs; cheered at successes; learned about countries where his grands were deployed and serving as missionaries; and prayed daily over each of them. His legacy of loving God and serving others is being carried out in the lives of his grandchildren.
Onvie will be remembered for simple, faithful living - building houses, planting gardens, and seeking the welfare of those around him. Shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway. Picking dogwood blooms. Making home repairs for a single mom. Providing school supplies and clothes for a family in need. Planting wildflowers and zinnias. Listening. A father to the fatherless. A man of faith with a smile for everyone. A servant, leading a quiet life of godliness
Onvie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty; his children Joanna (Jason) and Allen (Pauline); grandchildren: Arvid, Bray (Ellen), Sydney, Isabel, Bjorn, and Coda; brothers Ray, Larry, Earl, James, Kenny, and Donny; sisters Arlene, Margaret, Carolyn, Dian, and Linda; sister-in-law Kay (Nick); brother-in-law Gerald, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Onvie was preceded in death by is parents and parents-in-law Allen and Faye Chitwood; sisters Brenda Kay, Lucille and Sandy; sister-in-law Jenny; and grandson Evan.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Chandler Funeral Home in Ellettsville with burial to follow at Kent Cemetery in Kent, Indiana. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of services Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to fx church with memo "missions" or Elara Caring Hospice Foundation by emailing elarafoundation@elara.com.
The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to Elara Healthcare for the care they extended during his months in hospice.