Steven Eugene Wray

Steven Eugene Wray, 69, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 5, 2026, after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Steve was born March 5, 1957, in Troy, Ohio, the son of John W. Wray Jr. and Janet Workman Wray. After high school, he went to work for his father selling blueprint supplies and servicing machines. His brother and sister later joined the business, and together they operated it successfully, selling it in 2008.

In 1981, he married Loretta Snyder, and together they raised two children. In 2009, Steve and Loretta moved to Indiana to be closer to their grandchildren. His career path took an interesting turn there when he became the director of a retirement home in New Castle. He greatly enjoyed working there and getting to know the residents where he became nominally famous for his "joke-of-the-day."

Steve had a wide variety of hobbies over the years, including photography, riding motocross bikes, and flying RC airplanes. He had a natural ability for figuring out how things worked and was often called upon to use that ability by friends and family. Loretta persuaded him to fulfill her dream of living in an old farmhouse in the country, where his skills were put to good use.

In 2020 he officially retired, and they moved to Brown County, where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery for five years. Steve loved working in the garage with his grandchildren. He taught them woodworking skills and eagerly explored their interests, from building a small foundry to catching fireflies.

His faith in God was the bedrock of his identity, and their church families meant a great deal to both him and Loretta. Whether fixing something in the garage, teaching a new skill, or chasing fireflies with his grandchildren, Steve found joy in life's simple moments and shared that joy with everyone around him.

Steve is survived by his cherished wife of 45 years, Loretta; son, Danny (Sam); daughter, Megan (Dustin); grandchildren, Jaedon, Micah, Eli, Story, and Charlotte; brother, Mark (Tanya); sister, Joy (Mike); and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 13, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Turning Point Church in Franklin, Indiana.

Additional visitation will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Burial and graveside service will follow.