Former Chesterton resident Francis McRay “Ray” Newkirk died Wednesday, Oct.
21, 2009. A resident of Valparaiso, he was 80.
He was born on May 14, 1929, in Sandborn, Ind., the son of Francis A. and
Jeales M. (Elkins) Newkirk, who preceded him in death.
On July 23, 1949, he married Jewel Stout, who survives in Valparaiso.
He is also survived by his sons, Daniel R. (Carol) Newkirk of Valparaiso,
Jeffrey D. Newkirk of Pueblo West, Colo., and Michael A. (Julie) Newkirk of
Lima, Ohio; a daughter, Brenda K. (Gerald) Ward of Porter; a sister, Mable
Bedwell of Edwardsport, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Owen (Zena) Newkirk,
Becky (Jeff) Thornton, Hillary (Randy) Ward-Coats, Shannah Newkirk, Seneca
(Nadia) Newkirk, Logan Newkirk, Megan Newkirk, and Jacob Newkirk; and eight
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sisters Goldie, Bessie, Evelyn, and Nellie;
and a granddaughter, April Newkirk.
Ray was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and a retired truck driver for
Teamsters Local 142. He belonged to Valparaiso Baptist Church.
Funeral services, Pastor Kenneth Gamblin officiating, are scheduled for 1
p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway in
Chesterton. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Edmonds &
Evans. www.ee-fh.com
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