Mr. Ray Foster, age 77, of Greenville, longtime Greenville businessman and proprietor of OConnors Shoes, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 30, 2008 at his home under the loving care of his wife and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Ben & Hilda (Mayo) Foster, he was born on Jan. 21, 1931 in Edmore and was a 1949 graduate of Greenville High School. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, Ray began working for Bob OConnor at OConnor Shoes in 1963, eventually purchasing the business which was founded in 1893.
On March 17, 1987, at the United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, he married the former Marion Oliver-Bennett. Ray was a life member of the Lester J. Sitts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5065 in Sheridan, the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Ray also found joy in sailing his 36 foot Catalina on Lake Michigan, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Foster in April of 1992; a sister, Norma Bard; and a brother-in-law, Roy Bard. Surviving are his wife of 21 years, Marion Foster of Greenville; two sons, James & Eileen Foster of Tucson, Arizona, and Jeffrey Foster of Santa Anna, California; a daughter, Sue & Dennis Darmondy of Riverdale; his step-son and successor at OConnors Shoes, Jeff & Kristy Bennett of Greenville; five grandchildren, Jason Foster, Allison Foster, Haley Rentsman, Adam Rentsman, and Joey Bennett; siblings-in-law, Patsy Blake of Gaylord, Sharon & Terry Gunther, Sue & Richard Hawley, all of Greenville, Steve & Gladys Oliver of Vestaburg, Stanley & Patty Oliver of Sheridan, and Mark & Annette Oliver of Brighton; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
The family invites relatives and friends to celebrate Rays life from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville. Military honors will conclude the remembrance. Honoring Rays wishes, cremation has taken place, and private burial will be in East Montcalm Cemetery.
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