Raymond G. Schell

Raymond Glen Schell, 86, of Genoa, Ohio passed to a better place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 while a resident of the Orchard Villa nursing home. Ray was born in Graytown, Ohio March 23, 1925, the son of Joseph and Anna Brogle Schell. He attended elementary school in Graytown and high school in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Ray experienced a typical country boys life while growing up during the Great Depression, learning at a young age his work ethic values. Some of his many chores included helping with the huge vegetable garden, chopping wood, carrying coal and ashes, and any chore his parents told him to do with no complaints. He still managed to fit in times for softball, baseball, and hunting. Hunting was not only an enjoyable past time; it also put meat on the table. Sadly, Ray had to give away his Springer spaniel after he killed some of his Mothers chickens. Ray said of this experience you could never trust a dog near chickens after it had tasted chickens. Ray entered the U.S. Navy in May 1943, and proudly served aboard the battleship U.S.S. Tennessee from September 1, 1943 to February 15, 1946. He participated in 13 major assaults and engagements in the Pacific: Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Kaveing, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Angaur, Sea Battle of the Leyte, Sea Battle of the Surigao Straits in the Philippine Islands This was the largest sea battle ever fought. The Tennessee and other American battleships fought Japanese battleships, Japanese cruisers, and Japanese destroyers to defeat the Japanese Navel Task Force. Other assaults & engagements included Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the East China Sea. The Tennessee was involved in the occupation of the Japanese Island Wakayama. Surrender of this island and its navy base to Admiral Jessee Oldendorf was aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee. The Tennessee was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for distinguished service in heavy action against the enemy with outstanding heroism. The ship visited Tokyo Japan and completed a world tour by way of Singapore, Ceylon Sri Lanka and Cape Town South Africa, returning to Philadelphia on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1945. Ray never forgot his WWII Navy experience and shared with many, many stories of his battle experience with family and friends. The sound of those huge Tennessee guns shook a person to the core. I hadnt heard anything like it before and havent experienced anything like it to this day He also shared stories of memorable meals served aboard ship. Growing up in the country, fresh eggs were what his palate knew, not powdered eggs from a box. We were hungry and ate them. Ray would notice this, for his mother insisted her three sons learn to cook, not only breakfast foods, but soups to roasts as well. Ray attended many of the U.S.S. Tennessee ship reunions held at different locations around the country. Through the Tennessee association, he learned a WWII memorial fundraising effort was to begin. He was a contributor to the Memorial from the very beginning as a Charter Member. He was also a Charter Member of the U.S. Navy Memorial also in Washington, D.C. Ray had many fond memories working with local man, Leonard Pete Iffland, grinding animal feed for farmers in Ottawa and eastern Lucas counties. After his military service, he was employed by the Ottawa County Cooperative Service for a few years, then worked for the Pure Oil Co. Union Oil Co./UniCal for 21 years until they closed operation in Toledo. Afterward, he worked for the State of Ohio for 16 years, retiring in 1986. Ray married his first wife Norma A. Freimark on July 11, 1952 in Elliston Ohio. She passed away March 23, 1969. He married Donna Hotmer Bast on November 30, 1990. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Genoa, Ohio. He generously served the congregation as Elder, Deacon, Usher, Greeter, and in so many other ways. He and his first wife Norma were advisors with the church Youth Group JYF. Ray also participated as a driver on many SYF Work Camp experiences when his daughters were in the high school youth group. Ray was also active in the Village of Genoa. He served on the Genoa Park Board when acreage was purchased to ensure room for Genoa Veterans Park expansion. Although that land remained unused for many years, the purchase of the land was an insightful vision, for the land was later transformed into more baseball/softball playing fields when needed. He also served on the Genoa Zoning and Planning Board. During his tenure the Genoa Care Center went from plans on paper to building completion. At the Centers dedication, the owner, C. Red McClellen of Findlay, Ohio noticed Rays U.S.S. Tennessee cap. After months and months of meetings, the two realized they along with thousands of others had been shipmates on the Tennessee during WWII. Ray was also very active and a long time member of the Genoa Area Kiwanis Club Distinguished Past President and member of the Genoa American Legion Post #324 and V.F.W. Post #7510. The travel bug bit Ray and the early family vacations were enjoyed in our nations western National Parks, the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as camping in numerous Michigan State Parks. In later years Ray and Donna traveled to different areas of Mexico, seven Canadian Provinces New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Great Britain, and 48 states including Hawaii and Alaska. He spent several winters in Florida. Survivors include his second wife Donna; daughters Joanne Joel Pinkerton and Jennifer Blum; grandchildren Devin, Kyle, and Sam Pinkerton and Katie Blum. Step-children: Peggy Bast, John Jackie Bast, Steve Linda Bast, Rick Kathy Bast, and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Roger Audrey Freimark; nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife Norma; granddaughter Megan Norma Pinkerton; son-in-law Thomas W. Blum; sister, Alberta Rose, brothers, Norman Clara Schell and Leonard Frieda Schell. A funeral service for Ray will be conducted at 11 AM, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in St. John United Church of Christ, 1213 Washington St., Genoa, Ohio. Visitation will be in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St. Genoa, from 2-8 PM on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Interment with military honors will be in the Elliston Cemetery, Elliston, Ohio. The family requests memorials in Rays name be directed to St. John United Church of Christ or the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation, c/o Jean Holcombe; Genoa Bank, 801 Main St., Genoa, Ohio 43430.