George W. Ray

George W. Ray, 101, of Decatur, Indiana passed away Thursday morning, March 18, 2021, at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Indiana.

He was born October 11, 1919 in Geneva, Indiana to the late Leland Ray and the late Eithel (Laughrey) Ray. George was united in marriage to Doris Jones on June 25, 1950 at Pleasant Mills Methodist Church.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific theater, being honorably discharged after attaining the rank of Sergeant.

He graduated from Pleasant Mills High School in 1937. George was currently attending Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church, where he had served as the Sunday School superintendent in the late 1940s. He was a longtime member of the First Methodist Church in Marion, Indiana and then joined the First Friends Church in Marion, where he sang in both churches’ choirs. He sang in the Marion Male Chorus and the Lyric Club during his time in Marion. He was also a member of the Piano Technicians Guild for many years.

George rebuilt pianos and tuned pianos for many schools and private individuals for 65 1/2 years, retiring at the young age of 93. Among his clients was Taylor University, which he served for more than 20 years.

He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He had a heart for the community and volunteered every year for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer for the holiday fund drive. He also was a longtime volunteer doing mission work for The Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris Ray of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Evelyn Stewart of Mesa, Arizona; brother, Ned Ray of Decatur, Indiana; sister, Geraldine (Lawrence) Jones of Decatur, Indiana; three grandchildren, James (Stacey) Stewart, Katherine (Ryan) Law, and Nancy (Brian) Pierce; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan Law, Keighan Law, Paxtan Law, Rylan Law, Kylee Barter, Cody Barter, and Brianna (Brenden) Garcia; and one great-great-grandson, Aiden Garcia.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Gail Ray, and a son-in-law, Glenn Stewart.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Rev. John Porterfield officiating. Masks will be required for those attending. Interment will follow in Tricker Cemetery in Decatur, Indiana. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 of Decatur, Indiana.

Friends and family will be received from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. service on Monday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Henderson Settlement, First Friends Church in Marion, or Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana