Raymond W. Frye

Raymond W. Frye, 87, of Stevensville, passed away, Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 21 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Msgr. Eugene Sears officiating.  Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville, with military rites conducted by North Berrien Military Rites Team.  Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. Wednesday until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Memorial may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Those wishing to sign Ray’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ray was born November 15, 1927 in Defiance, Ohio to Charles & Inez (Thompson) Frye.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1945 and joined the United States Army, serving his country during WWII.  Upon completion of his military duty, Ray attended Indiana University & the University of Illinois where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.  On February 3, 1951, he married the former Eleanor Kubash in St. Joseph.  Ray gained employment with Whirlpool Corporation and made that his career, retiring as Sales Account Executive in 1988 after 33 years.  After retirement from Whirlpool, Ray and his son Randy opened Southwestern Supply in St. Joseph, where he served as CEO until his health forced his retirement in the Spring.   He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and former member & President of the Lakeshore School Board and a former long-time member of the Lincoln Township Planning Commission.  In his free time, Ray enjoyed fishing, golf, playing cards and spending time with his family. Ray is survived by his wife Eleanor; his children-Barbara (Tom) Bellavia of St. Joseph, Randall (Deborah) Frye of Buchanan, Debra (Rolf) Nykamp of Longview, Texas; seven grandchildren-Meagan Frye, Melanie Frye, Jessica (Ben) Stephen, Katy Nykamp, Eric Nykamp, Jon (Andrea) Nykamp, Kevin (Megan) Nykamp; & five great-grandchildren-Cort, Teller, Clay, Heston & Holden.  He was preceded in death by his son Raymond, Jr. in 1981 and his brother Charles “Chuck” Frye, Jr.