Ray Franklin Strater

Ray Franklin Strater, age 85, passed away May 16, 2017 at his residence in Salt Springs, Florida.  He was born to Harold R. and Lorna (Motz) Strater on January 23, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Strater attended First Church of Christ and enjoyed helping with projects in church and Sunday School.  He delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, along with building with Habitat for Humanity.  He was a tool and die maker by trade and loved to do woodworking, making many treasure chests to share.  Ray volunteered at Lake East Hospital and operated Footprints Christian Book Store in Painesville from 1983 – 2001.  Ray loved to play golf and swim and he loved to play with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lucia (Bicker) Strater; sons, Ray Strater Jr. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and David (Loretta) Schmucker of Mentor; daughters, Kim (Mike) Lastoria of Sevierville, Tennessee and Lynn (Chuck) Marshall of Reno, Nevada; grandchildren, Robert (Deana) Lubecky, Jessika (Bryan) Augustin, Scott Schmucker, April Schmucker and Eric Steinley; great-grandchildren, C. J. Lubecky, Lindsey Prososki, Brianna and Brayden Lubecky, Lydia Schmucker, and Vivian Augustin; and so many loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and William Strater; and granddaughter, Jenni Lubecky.

A celebration of life will be held 7:00 PM, Thursday, June 8, 2017 at First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio.  Family and friends may call 5:30 – 7:00 PM, prior to the service, at the church. 

Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34474 or to the Memorial Fund at First Church of Christ in Painesville. 

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