Wilma Irene Ray, 83, of Wabash County, Indiana, joined her husband, Larry Melvin Ray in heaven on Monday, July 22, 2024. She was born on August 11, 1940, in Warren County, Indiana, to James Monroe and Elsie Viola (McKinzie) Foster.
Wilma was a 1958 graduate of Pine Village High School and attended Purdue University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and Master’s degrees in P.E. and Consumer Science. Later in her career, she received postgraduate credits in Counseling from Ball State University and Secondary Education and Administration from Indiana University. She married the love of her life, Larry Melvin Ray, on December 24, 1961, at Riverview United Methodist Church in Independence, Indiana. Larry died on October 1, 2021.
Wilma worked and retired from teaching at Heartland Career Center in Wabash after 19 years. She also worked four years at the South Bend School Corporation, as well as eight years for the Huntington County Schools. Wilma was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend.
She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Ray and Nancy (George) Chung, both of Woodinville, Washington, and three granddaughters; Veronica Chung, Vanessa Chung, and Valerie Chung.
Additionally, Wilma is survived by nephews: Jim (Jane) Link, Mike (Carol) Link, and Noel Foster. From those nephews, she has great and great-great nieces and nephews: Julie (Chad) Staat and daughter Logan (Matthew) Smith (children: Kora and Korbyn Smith); Jeremy Link; Jason (Julie) Link (children: Emma, Caleb, Deborah, and Peter Link); Rob (Kristy) Link, Kalamazoo, Michigan (children: Jake, Max, Zeke, Reese, and Elyse Link); Shawn and Shane Foster; Brandon Sr. Foster, James Foster, and Antoinette Garcia-Berry.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Rod (Linda) Ray, Lafayette, Indiana, nephew Anthony (Kathryn) Ray, Greenfield, Indiana, and niece Michelle Librie, Lafayette, Indiana, along with great-nephews and great-nieces, Carson and Fiona Ray and Caleb and Cadence Librie. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Ernest Foster, sister Florence Link, nephew, Steven Foster, and great-nephew, Steven Foster Jr.
Wilma enjoyed her high school years being active in 4H and representing Warren County at the Indiana State Fair for Girls School, The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, serving as the class secretary for the Jr. and Sr. class, receiving the DAR Good Citizen award, and acting in school plays.
At Purdue she enjoyed her studies, living at Twins Pines Cooperative House, participating in Twin Pines activities, meeting Larry, and hanging out with the Purdue Ag gang. They continued to meet after graduation at least 4 times a year for over 50 years.
Wilma was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. When Larry passed in October 2021, they were just 3 months shy of celebrating 60 years of marriage. Her greatest joy was being there for her family and friends. She especially enjoyed finding gifts for her family even outside the traditional holidays. For friends, she had a unique talent for knowing when someone needed flowers or chocolate or even a friendly prank or two. She was blessed to be a part of so many lives throughout her and Larry’s careers.
Traveling with Larry was a favorite hobby for Wilma and they visited every state and most of Europe together. A favorite travel period in their life was going on many tours organized by her dearest friend, Connie Marshall. Wilma particularly enjoyed time spent in the various cities where Lynn and Nancy lived. Her favorite trips of all were to spend time with her three granddaughters.
Growing up as a farm girl, Wilma never shied away from working outside. Even in the weeks before she passed she was out mowing at her beautiful property and as often as she could at the farm where she grew up. She always enjoyed the many visitors to her property, especially getting to play with her great nieces and nephews as well as being the host to the backpacking buddies, her “hunting boys” and their whole clan.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana with Pastor Doug Barton officiating. Burial will be at Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the church; arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Preferred memorial is the Education Professions at Heartland Career Center of Wabash or the charity of your choice.
The memorial guest book for Wilma may be signed at http://www.grandstaff-hentgen.com
