Raymond Arthur Yagelski, 88, passed away at St. Monica's Senior Living on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Raymond (Ray) was born in Gary, IN on April 6, 1936, to Clement and Mary (nee Kokinda) Yagelski and graduated from Tolleston High School (Gary, IN), in 1954.

Ray enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and proudly served at posts in the US and Germany before his honorable discharge in 1962.  While in the Army, he married Geraldine B. Fedorchak of Merrillville, IN, a girl he had kept his eye on since kindergarten.  They were married on June 25, 1960.  She preceded him in death on February 18, 2006.

Ray graduated with a BS in Geography from Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN) in 1963.  He spent his career working in metal stamping.  After being with the Budd Company (Gary, IN) for many years, he moved to Replogle Globes (Hillsdale, IL) where he managed the production of metal rings (meridians) for globes.  Ray retired from Replogle in 1998.

Ray lived in Crown Point, IN, for 41 years, where he enjoyed gardening and maintaining a hobby farm, before he moved to Racine in 2014.  Throughout his life, Ray was a devout Catholic. In his retirement, he joined the rosary fidelity and attended Mass daily, first at his hometown parish of St. Mary's (Crown Point, IN), and then at St. Lucy (Racine, WI) where he promptly joined the men's bible study group and made friends with many kindred spirits.

Ray is survived by 2 sons: Thomas R. Yagelski and James A. Yagelski; and 2 granddaughters: Sarah P. Yagelski and Alyssa C. Yagelski.  Ray had one brother, John A. Yagelski. John and his wife Joyce (Yudt) Yagelski, both preceded Ray in death.  Ray has several surviving nieces and nephews:  John (Debbie) Yagelski, Jodi (Glen) Reilly, Jennifer (Tim) Landrum, Jason Yagelski, Jerred (Katie) Yagelski.  And from his wife's side: Carly Petersen and Josh Fedorchak.

On Thursday, May 16, from 5 PM to 7 PM, a visitation for Ray will be held at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home (4600 County Line Rd., Mt. Pleasant, WI), a.k.a. the corner of KR and Meachem Rd.

On Friday, May 17th, at 10 AM, a funeral Mass will be held at St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Ave., Racine, WI).  The service will conclude with military honors for Raymond.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Monica's Senior Living for their activities and enrichment fund.

A special heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at St. Monica's for the loving and professional attention they gave Ray while he was with them.

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