Stephen A. Ray

Stephen Andrew Ray, 77 of Spring Township died on December 15, 2007 in St. Joseph's Medical Center where he had been a patient since December 10th.

He was predeceased by his first wife Patricia Ann (Sauppee) Ray on January 12, 1950 and by his second wife Dorothy B. (Stofanick) Ray on September 23, 2005.

Born on August 25, 1930 in Reading in the 1800 block of North Front Street, he was the son of the late Winfield F. and Helen M. (Macsisak) Ray.

Ray was employed by Carpenter Technology Corporation, formerly Carpenter Steel, for 34 years, last working as a cup grinder, before retiring in July 1987.

He was a Decorated Army Veteran of the Korean War, receiving the Bronze Star with a "V" device for Valor in Combat. He also was the City Marbles Champion who went undefeated throughout the tournament in 1943. He was also the only city champion who never got the chance to go to Wildwood, NJ for the Nationals because of World War II.

Stephen was a lifetime member of the Riverside Fire Company #11.

He was also a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield.

Also surviving is a daughter, Margaret M. (Ray) wife of David L. Brown of Riverdale, Muhlenberg Township and two sons, Michael S. husband of Bonnie L. (Hower) Ray of Reading and Timothy S. Sr. husband of MaryJo F. (Goerner) Ray of Shillington.

Other survivors include four grandchildren, Jessica H. (Brown) wife of Michael A. Boyer, Megan E. Brown, Timothy S. Ray Jr. and Elizabeth N. Ray.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, 2810 St. Alban's Drive, Whitfield. A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave., West Reading and Thursday morning from 9 to 10am in the church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Ignatius Memorial Fund, 2810 St. Alban's Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608. For online condolences, please visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.