Ray C. Grossen

Columbiana - March 3, 2009 - Ray C. Grossen, 89, of Whispering Pines Village, formerly of New Springfield, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, surrounded by the love of his family.

Ray was born September 1, 1919 in New Springfield, a son of the late Frederick C. and Linice Hofmeister Grossen. He served in the US Army, 37th Division during WWII in the South Pacific.

He had worked over 40 years as an electrician; first at General Fireproofing in Youngstown; later at Ajax Magnathermic in Youngstown and Warren; and NRM in Columbiana. He retired from W.K. Stamets Company in Columbiana in 1981.

He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, New Springfield, Allen Lodge #276 F. & A.M., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Youngstown, and the Youngstown Shrine Club. He had served on the New Springfield Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Springfield Township Historical Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of New Springfield. An avid antique car collector, Ray was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, the Tri State Antique Auto Club, the Willys, Overland, Knight Registry, and the Tri County 4 Wheelers Club. He, along with his beloved wife, traveled on many Glidden and Founders Tours over the years.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his step mother, Bertha Lute Martin Grossen; a daughter, Janene Rae Grossen; a sister, Gladys Marquis; three brothers, Glenn, Dale, and Ralph Grossen; and a granddaughter, Janene Rae Grossen.

He is survived by his wife, the former Doris M. Riesen, whom he married June 4, 1946; a daughter, Leni (Dick) Cornell of New Springfield; a son, John (Bobbi) Grossen of Magnolia; a sister, Cordetta (Joe) Valthauser of North Royalton; and three grandchildren, Aaron (Noel Lavezzi) Cornell of Cleveland, Jeremy (Stacy) Cornell of Brandon, FL and John "Jay" (Liz Humphreys) Grossen of Brooklyn, NY.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, New Springfield with Pastor Kari Lankford and Minister Aimee Raymond officiating. Burial will be in Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown. Friends may call at the church from 2:00-3:00 pm Sunday where Allen Lodge will conduct Masonic services at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Hospice of the Valley, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, or Allen Masonic Lodge of Columbiana.

Arrangements were made by the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.