Raymond I. Berger
Raymond I. Berger, 90, of Star City, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 14.
Ray was born on December 6, 1928, in Pulaski, to the late Jacob and Rose Winter Berger. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1947 where he played baseball and basketball and also participated in drama. Ray served in the U.S. Army 46th Engineer Corps during the Korean Conflict. While on leave, he married Charlotte Roth on July 21, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She survives.
Ray was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he had served on the parish council and as a lector. He also sang in the church choir and was a member of the Holy Name Society.
Ray worked for 48 years at Farmers Grain and Supply of Thornhope; the last 25 years as manager. At one time, he served on the Indian Creek Township Advisory Board and was a former member of the Northwest Indiana Grain Dealers Association.
Ray enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and canoeing. At age 75, he made his fourth trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota. In 1978, Ray and his canoe partner, Kerry Fox, won the Winamac Area Merchants Canoe Race on the Tippecanoe River. He enjoyed woodworking, especially making rocking horses for the grandkids, as well as Adirondack chairs.
Ray completed a lifelong dream of traveling to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He and Charlotte were fortunate to have visited seven countries.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Roth Berger of Star City; daughter Christina Fugate of Monticello; sons: Frederick [Sally] Berger of Rensselaer, Larry Berger of Monticello, and Jonathan Berger of Indianapolis; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Stephanie, Katherine, Joseph, Adam, Samuel and Wade; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Rose Winter Berger; sisters: Elizabeth Shedrow, Catherine Allen, Rosella Shields and Dorothy Keller; and brothers: Donald F. Berger and Arthur Berger.
Visitation was from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A scriptural wake service was held at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiated.
Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery South in Pulaski. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial contributions may be made in the form of mass intentions.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — March 20, 2019)