Raymond L. Arnold, 88, of Toledo, OH passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Promedica Ebeid Hospice with his family by his side. He was born September 19, 1929 in Toledo, OH to Xavier and Helen (Schmidt) Arnold. He married Shirley Wilchowski in 1953 at Little Flower Catholic Church where he and Shirley remained parishioners for the rest of their lives.
Ray and Shirley raised three children in a house they built themselves. After Raymond graduated from Central Catholic High School, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was assigned to the tank core in the 2nd Armored Division. After being honorably discharged in 1949, he was called back to active duty during the Korean War in the Ordinance Division.
Raymond continued to serve his country in the Army Reserve. Raymond was employed by Gill Asphalt for 40 years while also working at night for the U.S. Postal Service on the rail line for five of those years. He then worked at Snowden Construction for 29 years before starting his own business, Centennial Trucking.
His son, Daniel, worked beside him for many years. An avid artist, Ray designed and painted murals that covered his basement walls, as well as sand dollars collected on Florida beaches with his family, that he dried, painted, and turned into ornaments for family and friends. In Ray’s later years, he enjoyed completing model trains, cars, and ships.
Ray’s greatest restoration was that of a 1930 Model A, he affectionately named Myna. Ray enjoyed the camaraderie with friends he considered his “other” family at the Triple Crown. Raymond loved the Detroit Tigers, monitoring the stock market on television, and old westerns.
“Old Ray” as he was known, was a long-time member of Sylvania Elks 53. Ray will also be remembered for his amazing fireworks at his family’s annual 4th of July parties. Most of all, Raymond loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as “Papa”.
Raymond is survived by his children: Daniel R. (Carol), Rae Ann (Joe) Cherry, and Ramona L. Jordan; grandchildren: Katie, Nicholas (Bethanie), Laurie (Chuck), Nathan (Shannon), Megan (Chris), Scott (Katie), Julie (Zach), Joshua, and Ashlyn; great-grandchildren: Sophie, Adie, Matilda, Kenzie, Jackson, Eli, Alexander, Edward, Miles, Maxwell, Nora and Josephine; siblings: Catherine, William, and Robert. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley; siblings: Helen, Bernard, Susanne, Jane, and Josephine. Visitation will be at the Reeb Funeral Home on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at the Little Flower Catholic Church on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one-hour prior.
Internment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Ray’s family would like to thank Dr. Josh, health care providers at The Toledo Hospital, and the staff at Ebeid Hospice for their compassionate care during his final days. Memorials may be made to Promedica Ebeid Hospice or Little Flower Catholic Church.
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