Ray M. Schwartz

Visitation

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00 pmFamily present 6-8:00 pm

Ohde Funeral HomeBayard, Iowa

Funeral Service

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 10:30 am

United Methodist Church

Bayard, Iowa

Officiating

Pastor Charlene Wolf

Music

How Great Thou Art?  In The Garden?

Congregation

Martha Wolf, Accompanist

 Small Town Southern Man? Alan Jackson recording

Casket Bearers

Rays Grandsons

Honorary Casket Bearers

Rays Granddaughters

Interment

Highland Township Cemetery

Near Bayard, Iowa

Ray M. Schwartz, longtime Bayard farmer, passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2008 at the age of 81 years.

   Ray was born on August 7, 1926 to Raymond and Lizzie (Schick) Schwartz at the family farm south of Bayard.  Ray was born to a family of four sisters, joined later by two brothers.  At an early age he began his lifetime passion of farming the land and raising livestock, taking special pride in his cattle until the age of 80.  Ray experienced the transition from farming with horses to tractors and modern machinery.

   Ray was united in marriage to Patricia Weaver on December 31, 1948.  To this union five children were born: Kathy (Wendell) Taggart of Milo; Barbara (Arnold) Lamp of Atlantic; Mary (Tom) Reiling of Coon Rapids; Richard (Fay) Schwartz; and Don (Carolyn) Schwartz of Bayard.  Ray was married to Patricia for forty-four years until her death in 1993. 

   Family was extremely important to Ray.  He always enjoyed family gatherings at his home.  His twenty-two grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Ray loved taking his grandchildren fishing, and often caught the biggest one.  He enjoyed football and watching westerns on TV.  After the loss of Patricia, Ray developed a great talent for cooking and gardening to the amazement of his children. 

   Ray served as a dedicated trustee for Highland Township helping make improvements and establishing a directory for the cemetery.

   Preceding Ray in death were his parents, wife Patricia; sisters Edna Keimig, Gladys Peterson and husband Keith; brothers Howard and Ken Schwartz; and brother-in-law Lloyd Hattabaugh.

   Survivors include his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and sisters Grace Hattabaugh of Roseville, IL; Helen (Milo) Kulhavy of Casa Grande, AZ; brother-in-law Tony Keimig of Stronghust, IL; and sister- in- law Lela Schwartz of Guthrie Center. Ray is also survived by other relatives and many friends.

   Ray set a great example of honesty and integrity.  He was very much respected, admired, and loved by his family and friends.