Raymond Behling

VISITATION:

1 p.m., Sunday, May 7 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor, 222 Chapman Road, Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

2 p.m., Sunday, May 7 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor, 222 Chapman Road, Chippewa Falls

Raymond Roy Behling, 95, formerly of Vesper, WI, died April 3, 2017 at the Chippewa Manor residential living center. Raymond was born April 23, 1921 in the town of Hansen-Wood County to Albert and Hazel Behling. He attended Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, graduating in 1939.

Ray was assigned to the 126th regiment of the 32nd division and served as platoon leader for intelligence and reconnaissance from 1942 to 1945. His regiment made a number of important landings in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Ray received the Bronze Star for his lead in a supply mission on Leyte Island in the South Pacific.

After returning from the war Raymond married his hometown sweetheart, Erma Ehlert on January 1st, 1946 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vesper WI. Ray returned to his position in the paper mills in Port Edwards, WI. In 1946 he was employed as U.S. Postmaster in Vesper until 1951 and then as rural letter carrier until his retirement in 1977. Ray and Erma ran the Vesper clothing store from 1964 until its closing in 1984.

Ray was a dedicated member of his community and served in many roles during his lifetime. He served as chairman of St. Paul's Lutheran church at Seneca Corners from 1947 to 1949 and later as Chairman of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vesper Wisconsin. He served as general leader for the Vesper 4-H from 1960 until 1973. He was a Charter member of the Vesper Lions Club from 1962 and served as secretary and later as Cabinet Secretary for the 27-C1 District. He served on the Vesper Library board and as Clerk on the Vesper School District during the construction of the elementary school. He also served proudly as a member of the Vesper volunteer fire department from 1950 until 2002 and held numerous offices including assistant chief and president of the Vesper fire department board. He also was appointed and served for 11 years on the Unified Services Board for Wood County. Ray was a member of the VFW post 2534 and the American Legion Post 520.

Ray was an avid baseball player, playing for the Vesper County League and as manager for the Vesper team from 1947 until 1951. Ray also enjoyed golfing and was a lifelong member of Homestead golf course having golfed well into his 90s. He spent much of his free time after retirement Muskie fishing with his brother Vic and brothers-in-law and later with grand and great-grandchildren. For many years they wintered in Green Valley Arizona.

Dad and Grandpa B you will always be "Top Shelf".

Ray was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife of 71 years, Erma; four children, Kathy (Harland) Schraufnagel of Abbotsford, Kris Simonis (Tom Banaszak) of Highbridge, WI, Merry (Tim) Lienau of Menomonie, WI and Jon (Sandy Frohling) of Chippewa Falls; eight grandchildren, Traci Sutton, Kelly Simonis, Andy Simonis, Sara Simonis, Melissa Matteson, Robin Pritzlaff, Hazel Behling and Ella Behling; great-grandchildren, Jacob Sutton, Matthew Sutton, Zakkary Augustine, Tylar Augustine, Jacquelyn Simonis, Josiah Simonis, Aliya Simonis, Will Matteson, Bennett Matteson, Adelena Pritzlaff and Onaliese Pritzlaff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Albert Behling; brother, Victor (Evelyn) Behling, sister, Betty (Herbert) Bohm and an infant daughter, Susan.

The family wishes to thank the many gracious and caring staff at the Chippewa Manor Assisted Living facility and Sara Wiseman and the entire St. Joseph's Hospice team.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 7 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor, 222 Chapman Road, Chippewa Falls, WI, with Rev. Robert B. Hoekstra officiating. Interment with Military Rites will be held for family at a later date at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Vesper, WI.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor.

Memorials may be given to Wisconsin Lion's Camp, 3834 County Rd A, Rosholt, WI or to the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor, 222 Chapman Road, Chippewa Falls, WI.