Weiss, Rev. Dr. Raymond "Ray" 19+28-2018

WEISS, BENES, FRETZ

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Mr. Raymond Weiss, age 90, of Orange City, passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at the Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, June 29, at 11:00am, at the Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Dr. Brian Keepers and the Rev. Robert De Boer will officiate. There will be a graveside service at 10:00am at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 5:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Prairie Ridge Care Center.

Arrangements are with Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Raymond Ernest was born on January 7, 1928, in Santa Monica, California, the son of Elmer Shelby and Barbara (Fretz) Weiss. The doctors told his mother that she should not have any more children after his sister was born, because she had had rheumatic fever. But his parents believed that God had a special plan for his life, and they raised him to know that. He grew up in southern California, near Los Angeles, where he graduated from the George Washington High School. His family were members of the Hope Reformed Church there, pastored by the Rev. Louis Benes.

During the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Army. He was a sergeant and worked in supplies as well as the commander’s office. He and his friends “adopted” a homeless young man on the base and when they returned to the United States, established him in a local Korean home.

“Ray” then graduated from Central College in Pella and went on to Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he reconnected with the Benes family, especially their younger daughter, Dorothy. After his father had a stroke, he returned to California, where he continued his education at Fuller Seminary. He completed his studies at Western, to be ordained through the Reformed Church in America.

On August 26, 1955, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy. In 1957, they became missionaries to the Middle East, living in Iraq, Beirut, Lebanon, and Manama, Bahrain. He was a teacher in Lebanon and then the pastor of the Arabic speaking congregation as well as assisting with the English language and several Indian language congregations in Bahrain.

In August of 1970, the family settled in Orange City, where he was employed by Northwestern College as a chaplain, dean of students, professor of religion and cross-cultural studies, and dean of academic affairs. He also preached at area churches and provided pastoral care for a couple of small congregations. In 2015, they both became residents of the Prairie Care Center in Orange City.

He was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church, where he served as an elder and co-taught adult Sunday school classes for several years. He also belonged to the Pressman-Kosters American Legion Post in Orange City and served on the board of directors of Middle East Outreach. He and Dorothy volunteered with Crossroads Prison Ministries. Ray was passionate about justice and taught his family to be sensitive to the needs of others. He especially wrote, spoke, and debated for justice for the Palestinians.

He enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, fruit trees, and indoor greenery. He liked solving crossword puzzles and playing cards, challenging Dorothy in years-long games.

Ray loved Jesus and His Word, often studying translations in English, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic. He also loved people, remembering most names and circumstances of those he encountered. He and Dorothy were faithful prayer warriors. His deepest desire was that everyone know, believe in, and follow Jesus.

He especially loved his wife and would often compliment and appreciate her. He helped care for her, and his latest concern was for her welfare. They stayed connected with their children and grandchildren, remembering birthdays and anniversaries.

Survivors include his wife of more than 62 years; a daughter and her husband, Catherine J. W. and Mark R. Bell, of West Lafayette, Indiana; two sons and their wives, David R. and Cari Weiss, of Hutto, Texas; and Timothy L. and Heather Weiss, of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Maria Bell, David Bell, Craig Romkema, Erica Romkema, Elena (John Ballam) Romkema, Christopher (Kim) Romkema, Macy Weiss, and Owen Weiss; three great-grandchildren, Brielle and Elise Ballam, and Dawson Romkema; and two nieces, Susan (John) Huie and Sharon Lewis.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter and her husband, Barbara J. and James Romkema; and a sister, Doris Lewis.

Memorials may be directed to the Weiss scholarship fund at Northwestern College.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.