Shirley R. Ray

Age 88, of East Rochester, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011 in the Alliance Community Hospital after a short illness. She was born July 17, 1923 in Salineville to George and Ruth (Lewis) Boehm. She worked for the Minerva Local School District where she was a teacher at West Elementary for 28 years. She graduated from Minerva High School in 1941 and was the May Queen. She attended Mercy Nursing School and graduated from Mount Union College in 1969 with a degree in Education. She is a member of the East Rochester United Methodist, board member of the Minerva Community Meals, member of the DAR, Red Hat Society, Minerva American Legion Aux. #357. She was an avid golfer, loved to go to the horse races and do word games.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Ray who died in 1996; a daughter, Penelope Ray; sister, Avonne Lovy; and a granddaughter, Stacy Ray. She is survived by daughter, Bernadine (Fred) Overholt of East Rochester; sons, Michael and Steven Ray of East Rochester and David (Karen) Ray of Paris; grandchildren, Freddy, Jeff and Christopher Overholt, Angela Stout, Kimberly, Nate and Mikka Ray, Amanda Toussant, Justin and Rachel Ray; 16 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11 am in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Rev. Scott Williams officiating. Burial will be in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Minerva Community Meals or East Rochester United Methodist Church. Those unable to attend may sign the register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com .