Date Of Birth: October 12, 1924
Date Of Death: May 25, 2010
Raymond Lester Schwartz, 85, of Brownsburg, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2010. He was born in Adams County, IN on October 12, 1924, the son of the late Peter D. and Elizabeth (Nussbaum) Schwartz.He was a Staff Sergeant with the 60th Bomb Squadron, 39th Bomb Group, U.S. Army Air Corps. Ray was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism. He was the Radio Operator on a B-29 aircraft that crashed on May 19, 1945. Although his plane was burning and would explode at any moment, Ray freed two of his crew. He then realized the Airplane Commander was trapped, so he returned to the plane to free the pilot. Ray also served in escorting P-51’s and P-47’s to Japan and back, flying a total of 18 missions. He also received a Purple Heart and an Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a 33 degree member of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Millersville Lodge, the American Legion, and the VFW. Ray is survived by his wife, Belva C. (Burke) Schwartz; two sons, Ronald (Mary) Schwartz of New Mexico, Randall (Lindy) Schwartz of Indiana; grandson, Zachary Schwartz of Indiana; granddaughters, Emily Schwartz of Illinois, Julie Schwartz (Keith Werblow) of New Mexico, Laura Schwartz of Washington D.C., and Amy Schwartz of New Mexico; great grandson, Alden Werblow of New Mexico; and one sister, Rosemary (Dale) Osborn of Kentucky. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian St. Masonic service will start at 1 p.m. followed by memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Strangetree.org or the HVAF of Indiana, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 964 N. Pennsylvania, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Andy Monica Lackner says
Ray was a great addition to our extended family and will be dearly missed. I am happy for the good times we shared with Ray and his family. Much Love, Andy & Monica
BILL PAT ANTHIS says
WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY
Liesl Downey says
I think of Ray as my own Grandpa. He was a remarkable, affectionate guy with a ready smile and a wink. He was a resilient war hero, had a profound love of his family, and as it turned out, he was one heck of a frisbee player.
Michelle Barry Fisher family says
Belva and family,
It is with deepest sympathy that I write this message. I have such wonderful memories of Ray from my childhood. I can remember looking up at him and thinking he was such a good looking man, who cared about me, a little girl. So many of our loved ones have gone on before and what a wonderful place heaven will be when we get to see them again! Again, my heart is heavy with saddness for all of you. May you feel God’s strong arms around you during this time.
Rick Wilkerson says
From his WW2 heroism to his devotion to his family and friends, Ray Schwartz was simply a great man. Always friendly, smiling and genuine. My deepest sympathies to his family, his friends, and anyone who had the good fortune to know him.
Dann Martha Parker says
Through our friendship with Ron and Mary that spans nearly 40 years, we had the pleasure to know Ray and always appreciated his good nature and generous spirit, and his everlasting dedication and love of his family. With our deepest sympathy, Dann and Martha Parker
Dr Sam Wright says
Please accept my condolences. Mr. Schwartz was a gentleman and a true American hero.
BillDorothy Jerse says
As the father-in-law of our oldest daughter, Ray was a loving part of our extended family for almost 40 years, and he will always remain so. We know he enjoyed his 85 mile/year journey as the good railroad man he was.
LES HABEGGER says
Ray is my First Cousin. We grew up together in Adams County Indiana. We went to a one room school house. We had a basketball team with only five players and won the Jr High Adams County tournament.
I have many wonderful memories of our times together.
Lori Hughes Miller says
I remember Ray and Belva fondly, I met Ray at the Schwartz reunion, and later at Rosemary and Dale’s house.
Scott Osborn says
I am honored to be related to this man. He is the definition of genuine. Scott Osborn
Ann Marie Lushbaugh Kenner says
Uncle Ray was my Mother’s (Frances) brother and I will always remember him as a smiling,loving, joking man. I remember being at his house in the late 80’s with him and Aunt Belva and my mother what a great time we all had. Uncle Ray, will be missed, but I do know that he is in a better place and he is with Jesus and his family cause we talked about it on the phone together.
Aunt Belva may God Bless you at this time of sorrow and give you strength, piece and courage.
God Bless your family.
Love Ann Marie
Mark Arnold says
Ray and my father attended Decatur HS and enlisted together with the Army Air Corp in 1943. I only recently learned that Ray forged my grandfather’s signature on the enlistment papers as he was against my father enlisting with the Air Corp.
I remember fondly two first. Ray took Randy and I rabbit hunting on a very cold day (10 F) day in Adams County and then snow skiing. Ray was a very good man, a true American hero and he will be missed.
Rosemary Dale Osborn says
Belva and family, I know these are difficult days right now, but don’t we have wonderful memories? He was a man of all seasons and wore many hats; husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, patriot, friend and brother. I’m so grateful we are family bound in God’s love.
I’ll always be here for you,
and If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough,
I’ll not ask for another blessing,
I’m already Blessed enough.
And, to my loving brother, Ray,
Thank you for all you’ve been to me.
Your sis, Rosemary
Warner Clark says
Ray and I worked for the same company,but in different locations, The one time we were together – when we volunteered to fill out crews during the snow storms of ’68/9. We were flown to up-state NY to be crewmen on perishable trains needed by NYCity. We tossed a coin to see which of us would be on the first train. Ray won and his train froze up about three miles east of Syracuse. I was on the second train and we arrived in downtown Manhattan 26 hours later after battling 70″ snow. Ray’s train was dragged back to Syracuse and made into two trains. I believe he was on the headend of train #3. By then the Sun had come out and the regulars returned to work. Ray was a good railroader.
Stephen P Cooper says
To the family of Ray, please accept my deep and sincere sympathy. The World was a better place because of Ray and my life is richer because of his friendship.
Bob Schwartz says
We will always have fond memories of “Uncle Ray” from visits to Indiana. As the “kid” brother, Ray always had a special place in my father’s (Gary)heart.
We will miss Ray and his good spirits and his commitment to his family, both his own and the extended “Schwartz” family.
Our sympathies and love to all who knew him.
Bob and Family