Dr. Merrill A. Raye

Dr. Merrill A. Raye

  OTTAWA - Dr. Merrill A. Raye, 92 of Ottawa died 10:35 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.  He was born August 28, 1929 in Elizabeth, NJ to the late Oliver and Dorothy (Geller) Raye.  On August 28, 1965, he married Joyce A. Fischer and she survives in Ottawa.

  Other survivors include four children:  Rachelle (Mark) Roberts of Leipsic, Nanette Raye of Findlay, Michael Raye of Ottawa and Mary Ellen (Timothy) Lehman of Glandorf; eight grandchildren: Abbey (Dakota) Sudlow, Beau (Lyndsay) Roberts, Gabriel (Marci Schroeder) Roberts, Ella Roberts, Cody (Rachel) Warnimont, Owen Raye, Andrew Raye and Evan Raye; four great-grandchildren: Sophie Sudlow, Auden Sudlow, Raelynn Roberts and Millie Roberts; a brother, Errol Raye of Ocala, FL and a sister, Cynthia (Bob) Greene of Greenville.

   He was also preceded in death by a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn (Eugene) Kruse. 

  Dr. Raye served in the US Air Force from 1948-1952.  He graduated in 1958 from Central State College of Physiatrics with a degree as Doctor of Mechanotherapy and a degree in Chiropractic in 1959.  He also had considerable post-graduate work in X-ray and Orthopedics from National College of Chiropractic in Chicago.  He then opened his own practice in Ottawa, Raye Chiropractic, from August 1962 until 2019 for 57 years.  He served as director and secretary of OCPA (Ohio Chiropractic Physicians Association) receiving the Outstanding Service Award in 1967.  Dr. Raye was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa serving as Eucharistic Minister, bringing communion to shut-ins, Minister of Praise, mass server and usher.  He was also a member of the Ohio State Chiropractic Association, served on the board of the Putnam County Chapter American Cancer Society from 1969 to 1995, the board of Pathways Counseling Center, the Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery board of Putnam County, member of the Ottawa American Legion, Ottawa Eagles, Ottawa Amvets, Ottawa Knights of Columbus and inducted into the Bowlers Hall of Fame.

  Funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2022 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Scott Kramer and Fr. Tony Fortman officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW, Amvets and DAV.  Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa where a K of C rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m. and scripture service at 7:50 p.m.

  Memorial donations may be given to Putnam County Hospice, American Kidney Foundation or Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

  Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefunerahome.com