COLUMBIA CITY – Raymond Earl “Ray” Whiting, 81, of Columbia City, died at 10:56 p.m. April 17, 2013, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. He was born July 17, 1931, in Monterey, to Earl and Mary Ruschau Whiting, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 15, 1950, in Knox, he married Beverly J. Lewellyn, who survives in Columbia City. They were married 62 years. He graduated from Knox High School in 1949. He moved to LaGrange in 1968 and to Columbia City in 1973. He began his career with United Telephone Co. as a lineman in Knox. After 40 years of service he retired in 1991 as district manager from LaGrange and Columbia City. He was a member of United Methodist Church and a former firefighter with the Knox and LaGrange fire departments. He was a member of Fur Takers of America and the National Rifle Association and a former member of both the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. Also surviving are two daughters, Judy (and spouse Jack) Moore, Columbia City, and Jackie (and spouse Wayne) Stubbs, Elkhart; grandchildren, Nicole Moore, Matt (and spouse Anna) Moore, Scott and Marcus Moore, and Nicholas and Alec Stubbs; great-granddaughters, Makenna Rae and Mya Moore; siblings: Eleanor (and spouse Dan) Roscka, Knox; Howard (and spouse Sandy) Whiting, Michigan City; Vern (and spouse Phyllis) Whiting, Monterey; Betty Larva, Knox; Darlene (and spouse Dick) Ogel, Rochester; Pat Zobrist, Knox; and Carole (and spouse Mel) Mahler, Plymouth. Services will be at noon Monday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, officiated by Pastor Thomas Beers of Columbia City Church of the Nazarene. Calling is from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com