On September 5, 2012, Raymond W. Kornuth passed away after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. At his side during the battle was his loving wife, Carla. Ray was born on July 1, 1928 in Catawba Wisconsin to George and Eva Kornuth .Ray had two sisters, Lena and Kathryn, and three brothers, Vasilia, George and John, all of whom have preceded him in life’s final journey.
      Ray grew-up in Catawba and went to the Red Tile School. He attended Catawba and Phillips High School. In Feb., 1948, Ray joined the United States Air Force, becoming a Flight Engineer on Mitchell B-25 bombers. He was stationed at Vance Air Base in Enid Oklahoma, and then for sixteen months in Guam before returning home and being Honorably Discharged in 1952. He continued to work for the Air Force Reserve at Mitchell Field for twelve years, then transferred to the Defense Logistics Agency as an inspector for the Department of Defense. In 1974, he and Carla made their permanent home in Catawba. From the time of his youth, well into late into life, Ray was an avid hunter. Many great memories and stories were made at the home in Catawba during deer hunting season, and over the course of years, Ray took home many trophy bucks. He was a good baseball player and played in league ball for many years. He also served as umpire for many seasons for local baseball organizations
      Ray “retired” in July of 1983.. He and Carla raised mink for eighteen years. He then started a wood working endeavor which took them to three states, selling his finely, handcrafted wood items. When Ray finally, actually retired, they moved to Neenah to be closer to their children.
      In 1952, Ray met Carla Pettit. On April 18,1953 in what Ray described as “the happiest day of my life,” they were married and became partners in life. Together, they raised two children, Debra Lee (Keith) Hellwig of Fond du Lac and Keith (Teri) Kornuth of Manitowoc. Through fifty-nine years of marriage, Ray and Carla’s commitment to each other remained strong and served as an example to their family. The memories of the good times they instilled in their children, and their children’s children will remain with them forever. 
In his retirement years, Ray liked to spend time with friends and family, telling jokes, rehashing old times and talking about his wife, family, four grandchildren, and his four great grandchildren. Ray was a man that was proud of his family, and in turn, had a family that was proud of him. 
        The loss of Ray will be felt most keenly by the love of his life for almost sixty years, his wife Carla He will be dearly missed by his surviving family members, including his daughter Debra Hellwig and her husband Keith, son Keith Kornuth and his wife Teri, his grandchildren, Theresa Bunch, Lance Kornuth, Laura Debbink, Kaitlen Hellwig, and his Great-grandchildren, Steven, Amanda and Curtis Bunch and Wyatt Kornuth, as well as cousins, nephews and nieces. 
        Funeral arrangements were made through the Heindl Funeral Home, 304 North Avenue, Phillips Wisconsin. Visitation for Ray will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, W9256 United States Highway 8 # US, Catawba, WI 54515 on September 8, 2012. Visitation will be from 9 am to 11 am with interment to immediately follow at the Catawba Cemetery. A military Honor Guard from American Legion Post 362 will conduct a salute to Ray at the time of the burial. Services will be conducted by Pastor Jody Becker from Bethany Lutheran Church. A luncheon will be held at Bethany Church following the burial. The family wishes to thank the Theda Clark Hospice Services for the service and comfort they provided during Ray’s time of need.