Raymond Carlson, of the Crocker area of Chesterton, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at his home. He was 79.

He was born March 5, 1928 in Crocker, the son of Thure and Signe (Peterson) Carlson, both of whom preceded him in death.

On June 10, 1950 in Chesterton, he married Yvonne M. Schavey, who survives.

He is also survived by two daughters, Debra (Danny) Ray of Summertown, Tenn. and Valerie (Robert) Vah of Chesterton; one son, Sheldon (Jacqui) Carlson, of Collinsville, Ill.; six grandchildren, Daniel (April) Ray, Tony Ray, both of Columbia, Tenn., Shaun Vah of Chesterton, Eric (Brooke) Ray of Columbia, Tenn., Brad Vah of Chesterton and Nicholas Thure Carlson of Collinsville, Ill. and four great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Dakota, Baleigh and Brianna Ray.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, LeRoy Carlson and Eugene Hoeckelberg.

Raymond was a retired welder at U.S. Steel. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Portage. He was a member of Sons of American Legion Post #502, was a former member of the Liberty Twp. Volunteer Fire Department and Liberty Twp. Election Committee.

Funeral services, Pastor Phillip Lepak officiating, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 6 at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Cremation will be at Calvary Crematory, Portage. Interment of Cremains will be at a later date at McCool Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-7 p.m. Friday at White-Love Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to The John Wayne Cancer Foundation or to VNA Hospice.

Posted 7/5/2007