Ray Dean VanSickle
Ray Dean VanSickle, 56, went
to be with the Lord on Sunday (Aug. 31, 2008) at his Newton home surrounded by
his family.
He was born on March 14,
1952, in Emporia to Ralph and Grace (Schwindt) VanSickle.
On Aug. 2, 1975, he married
Christine Wells in Enterprise. She survives of Newton.
He grew up on a dairy farm
near Olpe and attended a one room rural school. He graduated from Olpe High
School and Emporia State University. He received his master's degree from
Wichita State University.
Ray taught at Santa Fe Middle
School for 32 years. He also coached intramural tennis and co-led Bible study
for students at Druber's Donut Shop in Newton. Twice he was nominated for Who's
Who Among America's Teachers. He was the 2007 Kansas History Day Teacher of the
Year. He also served as chair of the Harvey County Republican Party for four
years.
He was an avid gardener and
participated in the Newton Farmer's Market.
He grew up in the Twin Mound
Friends Church near Olpe. At the age of 8, he accepted Christ as his savior at
Camp Quaker Haven. He attended Meridian Baptist Church in Newton for more than
30 years, serving in many capacities during the years. He and his wife, with
two other families, founded Newton Christian High School. He served as school
board member and treasurer of the school. His latest ministry was witnessing to
other cancer patients these past two years while being treated for pancreatic
cancer.
He was preceded in death by
his father, Ralph VanSickle.
He is survived by his mother,
Grace VanSickle of Emporia; his wife, Christiane of Newton; daughter, Melodi
and husband, Caleb Wood, of Ringgold, La.; son, Brent VanSickle and wife,
Jennifer, of Alton, Ill,; two sisters, Joan Sloan and husband, Bill, of
Maryville, Tenn., and Carol Schaefer and husband, John, of Emporia;
step-grandmother, Eleanor Schwindt of Wichita; and six nieces and nephews.
Public visitation will be from
3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family
receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. The casket will remain opened during this
time.
A graveside service will be
held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Cottonwood Cemetery in rural Emporia. The casket
will be opened from 10:45 a.m. until service time at the cemetery.
A memorial service will be
held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Meridian Baptist Church in Newton, with Pastor Scott
Kliewer presiding.
In lieu of flowers the family
suggest memorial contributions to the Meridian Baptist Church Camp Scholarship
Fund, Newton Christian High School or Union Rescue Mission in care of the
funeral home.