Ray Schmalz

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Ray Schmalz, 91, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2018, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital from congestive heart failure with complications brought on by the flu.

Ray was born on Aug. 27, 1926, to parents, Charles and Esther Schmalz, in Ironwood. He served his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947, and was stationed in Japan for a large part of his service.

He met the love of his life, Marjorie, while they were both working at the Kaiser-Frazer automobile plant at Willow Run, in 1948. They were married in 1950 until the time of her death in 2008.

Ray was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. He was also a long time member of the Ironwood Township Volunteer Fire Department and "Razor," as he would become known, was a force to reckon with on the volunteer fire department's softball team. Ray worked at Globe Readi-Mix until his time of retirement and remained very good friends with his former boss, Mark Ruppe, for the rest of his life.

In his earlier years, Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, camping, fishing and just making things last longer than they should have. He was an imaginative person and often times would use his creativity to make something out of little or nothing. In his later years, he spent much of his time enjoying his grandchildren. He was a lifetime fan of the Green Bay Packers but would often be heard calling them a "bunch of bums" when they were not playing so well. He was also a lifetime fan of the Detroit Tigers and spent many summer nights watching them on TV.

Raymond is survived by a daughter, Marylou (Steve) Pavlovich; and two sons, Michael (Suzanne) Schmalz and Charles (Barbara) Schmalz; along with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Esther Schmalz; his brother, William Schmalz; and his wife, Marjorie.

There will be a private family Mass. Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send online condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.