Obituary of Raymond Harold Oley

Raymond H. Oley was born on April 21, 1925 in Lorain, Ohio the son of Joseph D. Oley and Jennie (Jesenski) Oley.   Raymond served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1944 until 1947 during World War II.

Raymond was married to Donna McDonald on August 17, 1958 in Monroe, he always told his family of his love for Donna and their special bond.  

Raymond worked as a foreman for more than forty years for the Ford Motor Company.   He retired in 1993.  

Raymond was the proud father of:  Linda Gale (George) Fountain of Monroe, Kathleen “Susie” (Steve) Sizemore of Sahuarita, AZ, Wayne Bradley Oley of Princeton, North Carolina; Raymond Paul Oley of Monroe; and stepfather of:  Charles (Suzanne) Wain of Castle Rock, Colorado; the brother of:  Ben Oley of Monroe, Joseph (Yvonne) Oley of Monroe, brother-in-law of:  Ethel Oley of Kentucky, Rose Benschoter of Ypsilanti.   Raymond loved spending time with his family and his fourteen grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.

He was an avid deer, pheasant, and rabbit hunter, and an avid fisherman.   Ray delivered produce to friends and neighbors.  

He enjoyed carpentry.   He loved country music and especially:  Carrie Underwood who he said was the new Tammy Wynette.  Raymond enjoyed long drives, with his red Ford Lighting truck. 

Raymond Harold Oley, age 85, of Monroe passed away at 8:00pm, Wednesday, June 10, 2009.   In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by an infant son:  Raymond Harold Oley Jr.; his death was preceded by siblings:  David, Richard, and James Oley, Theresa Benore, Viola Balog, and Margaret Hedy.

Friends may gather from 4:00-8:00pm, Saturday, June 13, 2009 and Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185.   He will lie in state from 12:00pm until a Celebration of His Life at 1:00pm, Monday, June 15 at the North Monroe Street Church of God, 2393 North Monroe Street.   The Rev. Rick Massingill will officiate.   Procession will follow to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church where his casket bearers will transfer him to a horse drawn carriage for the final pilgrimage to Roselawn Memorial Park.   Graveside services will be under the auspices of Monroe VFW Post 1138.

            For those desiring memorial donations are suggested to Mercy Memorial Hospital 3 South or to the Food Closet at the North Monroe Street Church.   Online words of inspiration and comfort can be made at www.merklefuneralservice.com; Life Stories page.