Raymond C. “Ray” Cerny, 89, of Bainbridge Twp., went home to be with his Lord & Savior on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, after a 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 1650 N. Bainbridge Center Rd., Watervliet, with Pastor Dani Veenstra officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, Dec. 26, from 1 until 3 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation (30400 Telegraph Rd., Suite 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025), or The Berrien County 4-H Foundation (1737 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022). Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ray was born on June 17, 1932, in Chicago to Edward & Anna (Knize) Cerny. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1950. He was a member of the FFA and received the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award in 1950 and the FFA State Farms Award in 1951. From 1953 until 1957, Ray proudly served his country by joining the United States Army.
On April 19, 1958, Ray married the love of his life, Marla Newton. He worked at Watervliet Paper Company for ten years and would relocate to Whirlpool Corp., where he worked as a model maker for 20 years, retiring in 1989. However, no matter where he was employed at, he never gave up working on his family farm with his twin brother, Bob, which they operated for over 60 years.
Ray was an avid woodworker; crafting much of the furniture in his family home. His church mission was making and giving away his many religious items, which are scattered all over the country. He shared his talents with others by teaching 4-H Woodworking, where he would later receive a 5-year award. He and his brother Bob were honored to be able to sponsor an annual 4-H scholarship.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marla; children, Debora (Dennis) Bachman of Millburg and David (fiancé, Christine Cates) of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Rebecca (David) Mercado, Miranda (Tom) Cuatt and Tyler Cerny; great-grandchildren, Benjamin & Kayleigh Mercado; sister-in-law, Elaine Cerny; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward, Richard and Robert; daughter, Brenda Cerny; and step-sister, Caroline Goldner.
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