We are sad to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved dad, G. Raymond (Ray) Warfel on November 12, 2022 at the age of 88 years old, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Lancaster to Harold E. and Cecelia M. Warfel. After graduating from Manheim Township High School, Class of 1952, he served 2 years in the Army as a Spec. 4 followed by an honorable discharge. He had a 42 year career at Armstrong World Industries, retiring in 1994 as the Supervisor of the Stencil Shop.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis E. Hammer Warfel, both parents and brothers, Harold E. Jr. and Emory F. Warfel.
He is survived by his three children, David S. Warfel, Lori B. Austin and her husband Steve and RaeAnn Gomez and her husband Pablo. He is also survived by his two sisters, Joan Marie McNeal and Judy Ann Baker. Survivors also include grandchildren Lucas J. Gomez, Blake A. Gomez, Brandon L. Austin and his wife Jennifer, Kelsey L. Austin and her husband Chris Elser and his great-granddaughter, Evey Wilhelm.
He was a hardworking man and fought hard, right until the very end. He loved to laugh and enjoy everything life had to offer. We will miss his wisdom and guidance and even his expressions that we never quite understood such as, “you may as well stand on your head and spit wooden nickels.”
His hobbies included time as a Ham radio operator (N3GTS). He also enjoyed traveling when he could, even if it was just to try different restaurants. He especially enjoyed his many trips to Florida and vacationing in Ocean City Maryland with Phyllis and family.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Funeral Service for Ray on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 11 AM at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home, 141 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 followed by Military Honors. Viewing will be held from 10 AM until the time of service. Interment to follow in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery.
Vince &Karen DIMichele says
Deepest sympathies to all of you. Our hearts go out to you and we will keep all of you in out thoughts.
Melissa Johnson says
Ray Ray, where to begin. It was the utmost honor and pleasure to take care of you. We had all kind of mornings together. We had the good the bad and the ugly some days, but most of all the laughs. I will forever hold in my heart all the love and support of the hard days I heard from you. You knew. The drive by coffee drop offs, which I knew you enjoyed. I would always say to Ray when I knew trouble was ensuing, “ Ray Ray, be a dad for a minute and tell me to keep my mouth shut “. He always did with a laugh. But not before telling me he would rather hear what I have to say because it keeps it lively in here. My MWF morning’s will have an empty hole but the wonderful memories, I will carry in my heart forever.
Now my sweetheart, you can enjoy all the black coffee your heart desires. Love You Ray. ❤️
Lori Austin says
Thank you so much for taking such good care of our dad. You were his favorite and he couldn’t wait to see you whenever he got to Dialysis. He was always disappointed when you were not in his pod. I was hoping someone told you that he passed away. I was going to call in there tomorrow. Thank you so much for being such a blessing to my dad. He really appreciated the coffee too..
Jack Singleton says
Very sorry to see obituary of Ray. Ray and I shared a lot of experiences together. We were in same 1952 Township class, joined Armstrong as hourly employees in same department, We were both drafted June 1958, (his Army serial number one number higher than mine), shared rail compartment to Fort Jackson S.C. Ray was sent on to Fort Benning and to Germany. I stayed at Jackson then to South Korea. We returned to Armstrong in 1960 and became salaried employees in Stencil department in 1960, he a supervisor and I as Lab technician and worked together from time to time. After retirement, we met at Armstrong retirement lunches each year. RIP Ray.
Lori Austin says
Thank you for sharing those memories. I often heard him talk about you but did not realize that you shared so much of your lives together.
Billie Adams says
To my extended family my heart felt sympathy goes out to you. Your dad- my brother-in-law was a strong influence during my childhood along with Phyllis. He will be missed by all.
Robert G. Melsom says
Dear, David, Lori and RaeAnn.
Our condolences in the passing of your father, I always remember going to my grandmothers house on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and your father would be there with the rest of the gang, what I remember most about your father was his laugh, I would hear him laughing it would make me laugh, I really liked your dad a lot . I remember he also had a great sense of humor.
May the peace of God guard your heart.
Blessings
Robert G. Melsom Aka Bobby Melsom
Lori Austin says
I know we haven’t seen one another for many years. Thank you for remembering our Dad so fondly. He was so happy to talk and visit with your Mom. I actually got to see her the week she passed. I am sure they are both at peace now. Take care!
Brian Scott Melsom says
My heartfelt Prayers and condolences to David, Lori, RaeAnn, Joan, Judy and the rest of the family and Relatives. Raymond will be dearly missed, and I will always cherish all the fond memories of him and his family members visiting the Lutz home to visit my uncle Fred, uncle Carl, our mother Marianne Lutz Melsom, and our Father Robert Melsom. Raymond was a great friend to our uncle Fred for many Years, and I always enjoyed the stories Raymond told about their many adventures together. In later Years after Uncle Fred passed away, Raymond visited our mother, and they talked on the phone fairly often. When Raymond fell and sustained an injury, and ended up in the rehabilitation hospital in Quarryville, I took my mother to visit him almost every Sunday. Raymond greatly appreciated these visits and told us we could visit him any time. I know my mother always enjoyed visiting Raymond and enjoyed their phone calls. I used to worry how our mother would take it if Raymond passed before her, but our mother passed away before Raymond on Sep 23, 2022. I can only imagine the reaction in heaven when Raymond showed up and I’m sure everyone was glad to see him. I’m really going to miss Raymond’s cheerful personality and his laugh.
Take care and blessings and thank you for allowing me to share my fond memories about Raymond.
Very Respectfully,
Brian S. Melsom
Lori Austin says
I know we haven’t seen one another for many years. Thank you for remembering our Dad so fondly. He was so happy to talk and visit with your Mom. I actually got to see her the week she passed. I am sure they are both at peace now. Take care!
Rita Miller says
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Lori shared so many of her adventures with her dad over the years and it was obvious to any of us who heard the family stories how much both parents were loved. I’m sure that love and respect kept him determined to have as much time here with all of you as he could possibly manage. A peaceful passing surrounded by those we love and who love us is a God bestowed gift that honors a life well lived. May he rest in peace and love with those who preceded him. God bless and keep you all.
Sherlynn Bessick says
Dear Lori,
Mom and I are so sorry for your loss. Your devotion and care for him was remarkable. I’m so happy that you were able to share one last vacation at the beach with him and I know he was so appreciative of your efforts to make sure he got there. We’re going to miss seeing him with you at lunch and Mom and I are so thankful that we had one last opportunity to speak with him. We’ll remember his quiet demeanor and soft smile. Our hearts and prayers are with you and Steve.
Best of OC Condo Rentals says
Lori and family,
We are deeply grieved to hear of your Dad’s passing. We know how close you were to him and although never meeting him ourselves, understood him to be a stellar human being. We pray that God’s peace and comfort would be with you and that the joy you had with having a wonderful father will bring you strength as you walk in this time of grieving.
Sincerely,
Steve, Claire, Rita, Dan, and Stephanie
Best of OC Condo Rentals