Raymond C. Ortlieb Sr.
Raymond Chester Ortlieb Sr. passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009, at Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, MD. while surrounded by those he loved and those who loved him. Raymond, who was best known as "Gramps" by those who knew and loved him resided in Highmarket, NY.
The funeral will be Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville, with Rev. Dena Stevens, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow the funeral in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Croghan. Calling hours are Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Raymond was born in Martinsburg on August 4, 1928, the son of Herman and Lily Closs Ortlieb. He proudly served in Germany and Austria during WWII, while in the US Army, assigned to a transportation company. Following his release from the Army, Ray joined the US Navy and saw duty in the South Pacific on a destroyer.
Ray married Joan Louise Zehr on October 4, 1952. Joan died on October 23, 1989. Together, they raised their five sons and one daughter in Martinsburg. After Joan's death, Ray moved from the family home in Martinsburg to the family camp that he loved so much in Highmarket. Ray worked most of his life as a mechanic, having worked many years for Burkart Bros., Teal's Express, and retired from Lewis County Highway Department.
Ray was a life member of the Lewis County VFW #6912 and was an honorary member of the Martinsburg Fire Department, after completing more than 50 years of service, having served several years as Assistant Chief.
Ray enjoyed woodworking, and completed many projects for his family to display. He was an avid hunter, and despite his many successes in the woods, he took even greater joy and pride in seeing his sons and grandsons bag a buck. He acquired "Gar-Bear" camp in Highmarket following the death of his son Gary in 1978. He especially enjoyed taking his grandsons and their friends from Martinsburg to camp to teach them the way of the woods. Ray remained an enthusiastic snowmobiler, and loved sharing his beloved "Hill" with family and friends. He enjoyed camping with his family and his special friend, Josephine Burke.
He was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, their son, Gary, his parents, his brothers, Gus, Richard, Albert and Tom and his three sisters, Leona, Alice and Marge.
He is survived by his loving family, including Daniel and Randa of Lowville, Raymond Jr. and Alison of Highmarket, David and Gayla of Martinsburg and Bruce and Connie of Waterloo, and his "baby girl", Diane and Mike Cavanaugh of Highmarket. He is also survived by his special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marie and Brice Buell of Lowville, his brothers, Robert of North Carolina, Herman of Florida, Kenneth of Castorland and Oran of Arizona, 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Constableville Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 438, Constableville, NY 13325; Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 143, Martinsburg, NY 13404; or Lewis County Humane Society, P.O. Box 682, Lowville, NY 13367. On-line condolences may be posted at www.isenekerfunerahome.com.
