Liminga – The Marttila family members of Liminga, Michigan has lost their beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Raymond Wilbert Marttila.
Raymond was born on the family members farm in Liminga on August 11, 1930 and joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 7, 2023. Son of Alma Saari and John Marttila, he was recognized for his intellect, wisdom, function ethic, sense of humor, family members loyalty, storytelling, and Finnish “sisu.”
Finnish was Ray’s initially language, the language spoken in his Liminga residence. He discovered English from his older siblings and at Liminga and Redridge Schools. It was at Redridge College exactly where he had his eye on his future wife, Juliana Lahnala.
At Houghton Higher College, Ray excelled at academics and was an avid baseball and hockey player and ran track. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Obtaining completed the ROTC system at MTU, he served as a 1st lieutenant in the United States Air Force in Korea, coordinating communications among the aircraft carriers and ground forces.
As a veteran, he was honored aboard Mission XIV of the U.P. Honor Flight.
He returned to Liminga to marry his extended-time really like, Juliana. They had been united in marriage at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church, Hancock on September three, 1955, and they remained devotedly married for 67 years till his death.
Ray and Juliana moved to Dearborn, MI exactly where he was employed as a draftsman at Ford Motor Corporation. Ray’s profession took him to Basic Electric Corporation, Evendale, Ohio Westinghouse Nuclear Division, Pittsburgh and to Chore-Time Brock (CTB Inc) in Milford, Indiana. He retired from CTB as Vice President of Engineering just after 25 years.
His graduation from the initially Executive MBA class at the University of Notre Dame in 1984 demonstrated his lifelong passion for understanding.
Ray was active in church leadership, sports, and volunteer activities. He shared a wealthy life with his wife, six youngsters, and his grandchildren. Ray believed in greater education and instilled this belief in his youngsters, all who graduated from college. His family members, travel, golf, understanding, and the Finnish sauna had been passions. Ray enjoyed getting outdoors and functioning on his Liminga farm. He traveled each professionally and personally with Juliana to a quantity of nations, like several trips to Finland.
He is survived by his wife Juliana (nee Lahnala), sister Laila Evans, daughters Joanne Marttila Pierson (Jerome), Carol D’Alberto (Frank), Jane Gremaux, Mary Lill (Jim), Sarah DeCleene, son John Marttila, grandchildren Joseph DeCleene, Hannah Do (Nhat), John DeCleene, Kenneth Gremaux, Raymond Gremaux, William Gremaux and good-grandson Jonah James Do. He is also survived by several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 12 of his 13 siblings, and son-in-law James Joseph DeCleene.
A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2023, with visitation starting at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Chapel, Hancock. Burial will be in the Liminga Cemetery quickly following. Memorial donations may perhaps be created to Small Brothers – Mates of Elderly, Hancock.
Specific thanks to the employees at Portage Pointe, specially Pewabic Home, exactly where Ray’s beloved Juliana resides and exactly where he spent his final days.
To view Ray’s obituary or to send condolences to the family members please check out www.memorialchapel.net
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family members with the arrangements.