Ray Classen

1951 - 2019

Ray Classen, 67, died Tuesday (Jan. 15, 2019) at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. He was born July 3, 1951, in Goessel, to Sam and Lula (Nickel) Classen. On Aug. 3, 1974, he married Janice Hinz in Visalia, California, and she survives of the home.

Ray accepted the Lord as his savior when he was 5 years old and was baptized when he was 12 at Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethren Church in Newton. He attended Grace Community Church since its founding, where he served the church in many capacities including as a youth leader, choir member and coach of the church softball team. He also started and led the men's fishing retreat for over 17 years. It later became the Grace Community Church men's retreat.

He was a graduate of Berean Academy in Elbing and attended Tabor College in Hillsboro. He served as the North Newton Police Chief since 1983, retiring in 2013. During his tenure as the North Newton Police Chief, he grew the department from one officer (himself) to two full-time officers and five part-time officers. Ray loved his work as Police Chief and cared for the North Newton community with respect and professionalism. He truly cared for the well-being of his community and its citizens.

Ray loved his work, but made it clear to his family and friends that he was not defined as a person by police work. His identity was grounded in service to the Lord and he found his work as a way to fulfill that mission on a daily basis. It is Ray's steadfast faith in Jesus Christ that brought him through the difficult times in life. He was also a family man and proudly enjoyed the title of husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He always looked forward to time spent with those he loved.

Ray is survived by his wife, Janice of the home; son, Jonathan and his wife Laura and their children, Alyssa and Dominick, of Fremont, Nebraska; daughter Sara and her husband Michael and their children: Lacie, Ava, Emmet and Austin, of Hutchinson; and brothers, Luke and his wife Ellen Classen of San Antonio and Mark and his wife Linda Classen of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by one sister, Beverly Willems of Newton.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Frank Willems.

A celebration of Ray's life will be 11 a.m. Friday (Jan. 18, 2019) at Grace Community Church in Newton. A graveside committal service will precede the celebration at 10 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 17, 2019) at Petersen Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Community Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.