Ray Stanton Bair, 98, of Elkhart, Ind., died Nov. 24, 2024. He was born Oct. 29, 1926, to Homer and Cora Bair of Mahoning County, Ohio.
He met Lillian Rita Oswald while a lad. They became teenage sweethearts, married in 1948 and continued life’s journey together for over 75 years until Lillian’s death on Dec. 24, 2023. After graduation from Goshen College in 1947, he worked as a traveling ambassador for the college. They moved to Louisville, Ohio, in 1951, where Ray was assistant pastor at Beech Mennonite Church. Subsequent moves were made to Pennsylvania to work for Mennonite Central Committee, back to Ohio and finally to Elkhart in 1962, where Ray served as pastor at Belmont Mennonite Church. They lived next door to the church until moving to Hubbard Hill, Elkhart, in 2023.
Ray worked steadfastly to be a good steward. He began selling insurance in 1967. He worked with the Urban League and H.O.M.E. organizations in Elkhart. He stepped down as pastor in 1979 but continued serving the Belmont church and community in various capacities. He completed a doctor of divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill., in 1994. He also received certification as a master gardener. His backyard gardens were a sight to behold and provided healthy produce for his family and community. He loved his faith, family and community deeply. The feel of his fervent hugs will long be remembered.
Surviving are his children, Daniel (Peggy) Bair of Forest City, N.C., Rebekah (Rocko) Smucker of Asheville, N.C., Joy (Ron) Martin of Apex, N.C., and James (Maggie) Bair of Elkhart; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Ann (Lowell) Schrock of New Carlisle, Ind. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian; sister Josephine Swope and grandson Seth Bachtel.