December 10, 1926 – November 10, 2018
Raymond M. “Ray” Conrad, 91, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 13 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. Ben Huynh officiating. Military Rites will follow the Mass, conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 until 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Church. Memorials donations in Ray’s name may be made to St. John/St. Bernard’s Parish or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ray’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ray was born December 10, 1926 in Skokie, Illinois to John & Mathilda (Schoenbeck) Conrad. He enlisted in the US Navy and served his country during WWII. On April 3, 1948, he married his wife of 70 years, the former Helen Yuran at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. Ray was employed for many years at Producer’s Creamery, and later at VanHollenbeck Distributors. In retirement years, Ray worked for Country Carpet Shop in St. Joseph and finally at DC Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman as a security officer.
Ray was a member of St. John/St. Bernard Parish and the Teamsters Union Local. He was an avid bowler and served as league secretary for many years, and enjoyed watching professional bowling on TV, tossing horseshoes, playing Pinochole with his friends on Saturday evenings, rooting for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and most of all spending time with his grand & great-grandchildren. He cherished the time spent with his entire family over the Thanksgiving & Christmas Holidays. Ray was a friendly outgoing person who never met a stranger. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ray is survived by his wife Helen; his children-Bob (Pat) Conrad of St. Joseph, Tom (Lorna) Conrad of St. Joseph, Rosanne (Rick) Burden of Stevensville, Kathy (Todd) Burnett of St. Joseph; five grandchildren-Michelle (Steve) Ashley, Mark (Nikki) Conrad, Zane Burden, Tyler (Nicole) Burnett, Kaitlyn Burnett & fiancée Dr. Justin Allen; six great-grandchildren-Brandon, Ryan, Bryan, Gabe, Gavin & Ava; two brothers-John Conrad of St. Joseph, Ed Conrad of Niles; his sister Arlene Patti of Winter Haven, FL; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters-Fran Arend & Rosemary Conrad.