Ray C. Westphal

Ray C. Westphal, age 85, of Iron River, MI, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. He was born May 30, 1931 in Caspian, MI, the son of the late Albert and Edith (Nystrom) Westphal. He attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating with the Class of 1949. He later attended Milwaukee School of Engineering for an Associate Degree in Refrigeration. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, serving most of his time at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, CA as a Medic. He was employed as a Lineman for WE Energies for 37 years. Ray married the former Barbara Kosky on September 18, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Stambaugh, and the couple celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2015. Ray was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Stambaugh, the Crystal Falls-Iron River Masonic Lodge #385 honored as Mason of the Year in 1995, Scottish Rite, Ahmed Shriner, Court #180 Jesters of Michigan, former Elks Lodge #1671, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1996-1997, Golden K, Progressive Men of Caspian, and American Legion Alfred Branchini Post #17. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin on Hagerman Lake and pontooning around the lake. A true handyman, he enjoyed fixing anything. Ray is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Mark (Fran) Westphal of Andover, MN, and Steven (Donna) Westphal of Kingsford, MI; daughter, Suzanna (Ric) Wisniewski of Rockwall, TX; grandchildren, Ryan (Amanda) Westphal, Amy (Tim) Anderson, Jessica (Colin) Mitchell, Michelle Wisniewski, Collin Hirthe, Rebecca Hirthe, and Austin Hirthe; great grandchildren, Henry, Ella, and Malcolm; brothers, Orville, Glen (Anita), and Gary (Marilyn) Westphal; sister-in-law, Jan (Ken) Truel of Spread Eagle, WI; niece, Linda (Joe) Mitchem of Green Bay, WI; additional nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Merle, Jack, Ronald, David, and Bruce, and sisters, Betty, June, and infant, Carol. Visitation will be held Friday, August 19, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. A Masonic Memorial Service will follow at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Iron River. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the service. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ray C. Westphal, please visit our flower store.