Ellis Raymond Detjens, 79, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2014 at his home in Yucaipa, California surrounded by his family. Born in Irma, Wisconsin to August and Lillian Detjens he was the youngest of 8 children and spent most of his life moving from place to place.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters Dorothy DeBuhr, Lillian Norton, Irene Wells and 3 brothers Hank, Gerald and David Detjens, his first wife Carol Rae Detjens, one son Phillip Ray Detjens and one grandson Jacob Ray Detjens.
Ray is survived by his wife Phyllis of 42 years, sons Gerald Ray Detjens, Leonard Ray Detjens, daughters Eileen Rae (Ricky) Smith, Rena Rae (Fred) MacDonell, sister Donna Drewitz, granddaughters Amber Rae Detjens, Melanie Rose Gilbertson, grandsons Frederick Cook MacDonell, Alexander Ray MacDonell, Ian Patrick MacDonell, Justin M Smith and Michael J Smith, great grandsons Jacob J Smith and RJ Smith; as well as many loving, nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends. Ray was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.
Ray loved to serve others. He served our country for 21 years in the Air Force and did one tour in Vietnam with the 303rd ARS. He went on from there to his second career with Picker International repairing and installing x-ray machines while living in Santa Barbara, California. Everywhere he lived he became involved in a local church and served the families in those ministries. When he retired he and his wife worked with MAPS RVers traveling around the country working at different churches, camps and schools. Ray was a skilled electrician and builder. He loved building things. You can see much of his handiwork at Spencer Lake Christian Center in Wisconsin where he worked for many summers in his later years.
A special thank you to the Redlands Community Hospital Hospice in Yucaipa, California for their loving care and support. Also thank you to Yucaipa First Assembly for all of their loving support and assistance with arrangements in Ray's last days. As Ray always said, “see you here, there or up there”.
Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at Yucaipa First Assembly on June 2, 2014. Funeral services for Ray will be at the Yucaipa First Assembly, 12226 Second Street, Yucaipa, CA on June 2, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Ray will be laid to rest in a Private Ceremony for family at the Riverside Cemetery in Riverside, California. In lieu of flowers Ray requested memorial donations to be made in Ray’s name to Spencer Lake Christian Center, N 1385 County Hwy E, Waupaca, WI 54981 or online at www.spencer-lake.org under Get Involved/Foundational Partners.
Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Hughes Mortuary, Yucaipa, CA.
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