C. Raymond "Ray" Haapala
Birth: Jun. 24, 1930
Michigan, USA
Death: Jan. 5, 2009
Ashtabula County
Ohio, USA
January 6, 2009
C. Raymond Haapala
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Star Beacon Tue Jan 06, 2009, 07:28 PM EST
ASHTABULA — C. Raymond Haapala, age 78, of West 16th St., Ashtabula, Ohio, passed away peacefully Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2009, at the Hospice Unit of Ashtabula County Medical Center.
Mr. Haapala was born June 24, 1930, in Mohawk, Mich., the son of Charles and May (Jarvi) Haapala. Ray was a 1948 graduate of Harbor High School and also attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Haapala was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War from 1948 until he was honorably discharged in 1951. He was also a member of the Ohio National Guard.
He lived in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to California in 1962, where he was employed as a Design Engineer by Textron, Panavision and Data Products. Ray retired and moved back to Ashtabula in 1997.
In Ventura, Calif., he was a Boy Scoutmaster for Troop #644. In Ashtabula, he became a member of the Elks Lodge and the Second Congregational Church, having a position of Deacon there. Ray loved to travel, woodworking, backpacking, his dogs and actor, John Wayne.
Survivors include his wife, Rita J. Balog-Haapala, whom he married August 24, 1997, in Ashtabula; sons, Bruce C. (Cindy) of Sylmar, Calif., Tim R. (Karen) of Modesto, Calif., and Mark D. (Kimberlee) of Mission Viejo, Calif.; grandchildren, Jennifer, Heather, Valerie, Daniel, Lyndsey and Jonathon; stepdaughter, Rebecca (Earnie) Gibson of Jolo, W.Va.; stepsons, Richard (Ann) Balog Jr. of Ashtabula, Ronald (Julie) Balog of Grand River, Ohio, and Robert (Gina) Balog of North Ridgeville, Ohio; stepgrandchildren, Richard, Elizabeth, R. William, Sarah, Genevieve and Laura; and seven step-great-grandchildren; and an aunt and cousins.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and May.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at the Second Congregational Church, 319 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio, with the Rev. Gordon Emerson and the Rev. Glen Warner, Pastor Emeritus, officiating. Mr. Haapala will be laid to rest in Edgewood Cemetery with Full Military Honors following services.
Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8th, at the CHILDS & WILLIAMS FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1440 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula, Ohio, who is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 or Second Congregational Church, 319 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.
Burial:
Edgewood Cemetery
Edgewood
Ashtabula County
Ohio, USA
Created by: Linda Crandall
Record added: Nov 29, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 62316191
