of Chelsea, Michigan, age 81, died Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Chelsea Hospital. He was born September 24, 1941, in Jackson, Michigan, the son of Ernest & Helene (Mergenthaler) Kemner.

Ray graduated from Manchester High School in 1959. He served in the US Air Force from 1962 until he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1982. Ray began a second career at Chrysler Pentastar Aviation, working there for 15 years. In his retirement, Ray drove a school bus for the Chelsea School District, and taught at the Aeronautical Institute at the Yankee Air Museum. He was a member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester his entire life. Ray lived in Chelsea since 1982. He had been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, where he was Secretary for over 30 years. Ray was recognized for his work at St. Louis Center for Boys, with the Boy Scouts, and for his help at Mott Children’s Hospital. He was a very patriotic American.

On May 28, 1966, he married Patsy Hageman at Emanual U.C.C. in Manchester, and she survives. Other survivors include his son, Mark (Connie) Kemner of Eastpointe; two grandchildren, Abigail and Cameron; two sisters, Beth (John) Ball of Manchester, and Rita (Terry) Salyer of Austin, TX; and a sister-in-law, Doris Kemner of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Carl.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 31, 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester, with Rev. Dave Bucholtz officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel on Sunday, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Click here to watch the video of Ray's funeral

Click here to watch the video of Ray's graveside (with military honors)

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