Ramon Edward Gillespie, 88, rural Wabash, died at 4:40 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Parkview Randalia Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born Oct. 9, 1928 in Wabash County to Vernon and Dorothy (Malott) Gillespie.

Ray married Margaret Hanna at Bachelor Creek Church of Christ in Wabash Sept. 17, 1950. He was a 1946 graduate of Lagro High School and a 1957 graduate of Manchester College. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Ray retired from Ford Meter Box in Wabash, where he served as secretary and treasurer from 1955-1993. He was a member of the Wabash Elks, Rotary, the Masonic Lodge, Wabash Shrine Club and Mispah Shrine, the American Legion Post 15 and the Wabash Christian Church. In his early years, Ray enjoyed fishing, traveling, performing in plays and musicals through the community theater, golfing, and helping with the student exchange program through rotary. Later in life, Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and the love of his life Margie. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Margie” Gillespie, Wabash; two children: Daniel (Anita) Gillespie, Leesburg; and Cyndie Gillespie-Shear, Wabash; five grandchildren: Eric Shear, Galveston; Justin Gillespie, Lagro; Tim (Kristen) Shear, Wabash; Darcie Gillespie, Lagro; and Samantha (Andrew) Dunn, Mascoutah, Ill.; and five great-grandchildren: Lillian Shear, Kyndall Shear, Jordyn Shear, Lance Dunn, and Madison Dunn; as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Edward Gillespie who died June 4, 2015.

Funeral services will 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor John Cook officiating. Entombment will be in the Chapel of Remembrance Mausoleum at Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Wabash Christian Church.