Obituary for Elmer Maurice Rayl
ELMER MAURICE RAYL
Elmer M. Rayl, 87, of Akron, died following a lengthy illness Monday, July 16, 2018 in his home. He was born January 6, 1931 in his family home in Akron the fifth of ten children born to Earl and Harriett (Childs) Rayl. He married Donna Jean Norrington July 31, 1954 in Wisner United Methodist Church.
Elmer graduated from Cass City High School in 1949. He served for three years with the US Marine Corps as a mortar gunner in Korea. Elmer attained the rank of Corporal and was awarded two Purple Hearts upon his honorable discharge. He went to work on the Norrington Family Farm where he eventually took over the farm and the farm operations. Elmer worked various jobs during the winter months, one of which was at Clint’s Foodland in Akron. He served on the Thumb Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for almost ten years. Elmer loved camping with family and friends. He enjoyed time spent hunting and fishing in Mullett Lake with his father-in-law.
Elmer is survived by his wife Donna and their children: Scott Andrew (Becky) Rayl of Harbor Beach; Kelly Sue (David) Vann of Tampa, FL; grandchildren: Eric (Rebecca) Rayl of Hudsonville; Jennifer Rayl of Linwood; Christopher Rayl of Harbor Beach; Andrew Colburn of Tampa, FL; Abby Colburn of Liverpool, NY; Angelina Vann of Tampa, FL; great grandchildren: Cailey Rayl, Hunter Rayl, Meagan Rayl, Kaydence Rayl; brothers: Walter (Delia) Rayl of Marlette, Archie (Sandy) Rayl of Grand Rapids; sister, Marilynn (Duane) Rich of Sandusky; sister-in-law, Janet Rayl of St. Helen; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Edwin (Marion) Rayl, Arnold (Mattie) Rayl, Earl (Verneta) Rayl Jr., Harold (Helen) Rayl, Linel Rayl; sister, Carolyn Wiegersma.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Dorothy Thon officiating. Interment is in Demorest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or Methodist Children’s Home. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
Elmer M. Rayl, 87, of Akron, died following a lengthy illness Monday, July 16, 2018 in his home. He was born January 6, 1931 in his family home in Akron the fifth of ten children born to Earl and Harriett (Childs) Rayl. He married Donna Jean Norrington July 31, 1954 in Wisner United Methodist Church.
Elmer graduated from Cass City High School in 1949. He served for three years with the US Marine Corps as a mortar gunner in Korea. Elmer attained the rank of Corporal and was awarded two Purple Hearts upon his honorable discharge. He went to work on the Norrington Family Farm where he eventually took over the farm and the farm operations. Elmer worked various jobs during the winter months, one of which was at Clint’s Foodland in Akron. He served on the Thumb Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for almost ten years. Elmer loved camping with family and friends. He enjoyed time spent hunting and fishing in Mullett Lake with his father-in-law.
Elmer is survived by his wife Donna and their children: Scott Andrew (Becky) Rayl of Harbor Beach; Kelly Sue (David) Vann of Tampa, FL; grandchildren: Eric (Rebecca) Rayl of Hudsonville; Jennifer Rayl of Linwood; Christopher Rayl of Harbor Beach; Andrew Colburn of Tampa, FL; Abby Colburn of Liverpool, NY; Angelina Vann of Tampa, FL; great grandchildren: Cailey Rayl, Hunter Rayl, Meagan Rayl, Kaydence Rayl; brothers: Walter (Delia) Rayl of Marlette, Archie (Sandy) Rayl of Grand Rapids; sister, Marilynn (Duane) Rich of Sandusky; sister-in-law, Janet Rayl of St. Helen; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Edwin (Marion) Rayl, Arnold (Mattie) Rayl, Earl (Verneta) Rayl Jr., Harold (Helen) Rayl, Linel Rayl; sister, Carolyn Wiegersma.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Dorothy Thon officiating. Interment is in Demorest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or Methodist Children’s Home. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195