Service Details
On Thursday, May 16, from 5 PM to 7 PM, a visitation for Ray will be held at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home (4600 County Line Rd., Mt. Pleasant, WI), a.k.a. the corner of KR and Meachem Rd.
On Friday, May 17th, at 10 AM, a funeral Mass will be held at St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Ave., Racine, WI). The service will conclude with military honors for Raymond.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Monica’s Senior Living for their activities and enrichment fund.
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Raymond Arthur Yagelski, 88, passed away at St. Monica’s Senior Living on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Raymond (Ray) was born in Gary, IN on April 6, 1936, to Clement and Mary (nee Kokinda) Yagelski and graduated from Tolleston High School (Gary, IN), in 1954.
Ray enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and proudly served at posts in the US and Germany before his honorable discharge in 1962. While in the Army, he married Geraldine B. Fedorchak of Merrillville, IN, a girl he had kept his eye on since kindergarten. They were married on June 25, 1960. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2006.
Ray graduated with a BS in Geography from Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN) in 1963. He spent his career working in metal stamping. After being with the Budd Company (Gary, IN) for many years, he moved to Replogle Globes (Hillsdale, IL) where he managed the production of metal rings (meridians) for globes. Ray retired from Replogle in 1998.
Ray lived in Crown Point, IN, for 41 years, where he enjoyed gardening and maintaining a hobby farm, before he moved to Racine in 2014. Throughout his life, Ray was a devout Catholic. In his retirement, he joined the rosary fidelity and attended Mass daily, first at his hometown parish of St. Mary’s (Crown Point, IN), and then at St. Lucy (Racine, WI) where he promptly joined the men’s bible study group and made friends with many kindred spirits.
Ray is survived by 2 sons: Thomas R. Yagelski and James A. Yagelski; and 2 granddaughters: Sarah P. Yagelski and Alyssa C. Yagelski. Ray had one brother, John A. Yagelski. John and his wife Joyce (Yudt) Yagelski, both preceded Ray in death. Ray has several surviving nieces and nephews: John (Debbie) Yagelski, Jodi (Glen) Reilly, Jennifer (Tim) Landrum, Jason Yagelski, Jerred (Katie) Yagelski. And from his wife’s side: Carly Petersen and Josh Fedorchak.
On Thursday, May 16, from 5 PM to 7 PM, a visitation for Ray will be held at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home (4600 County Line Rd., Mt. Pleasant, WI), a.k.a. the corner of KR and Meachem Rd.
On Friday, May 17th, at 10 AM, a funeral Mass will be held at St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Ave., Racine, WI). The service will conclude with military honors for Raymond.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Monica’s Senior Living for their activities and enrichment fund.
A special heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at St. Monica’s for the loving and professional attention they gave Ray while he was with them.
Deb Yagelski says
Uncle Ray was a kind and loving man. I will always remember how interested he was in my Farmhouse renovation. One year, Ray even wore a Santa suit and visited my children to share the Joys of Christmas. Rest in Peace, Uncle Ray. My deepest condolences to Ray and Jim.
Caroline Petty says
I was so sad to hear of Ray’s death. He was such a dear man and considerate of everyone. I only knew him a few years but he impressed me by his general caring attitude. May he rest in peace.
Kim Neubecker LPN says
I met Ray at St. Monica’s and loved to sit with him and listen to his many stories. I loved hearing his fishing stories and stories about his family. He always had a smile on his face and could make me laugh. Ray will be missed dearly. I am glad I got to meet him, get to know him, and will always remember his stories that he told me and his excitement about winning a fishing contest recently. Sending prayers to his family during this difficult time.
Randy Raley says
I have been friends with Thomas for many years after meeting him at Catholic University in DC. I enjoyed his parents so much that i have often told other people about how lovely i found them to be. My only regret is not getting to spend more time with them. I have had many world travels and i know how rare it is to meet and enjoy people like the Yagelski family. Mr. Yagelski, you will be missed.
Bob Carder says
Sadly not able attend Rays services due to surgery recovery, I know I missed a true celebration of his life. Ray and I became very good friends and often fished together in the Crist family residence for hours enjoying the many stories of his marriage with Jerry and his two sons and wonderful grandchildren among so many others. When Ray moved to Racine to live with son Tom he finally enticed me to go charter fishing for Salmon the trips of a lifetime. Last year the final trip in Salmon O Ramon Ray reeled in the big Trout that won first place and a big prize. The sheer joy on his face and days and months thereafter are moments I shall never forget. Tom and Ray always had gatherings on the beautiful porch and when I visited I enjoyed the wonderful fun and support shared by all. Ray often bragged about how Tom would decorate the house for holidays and how they made a covid safe Halloween candy slide but fit for the scary occasion. While Ray will be missed by all we have so many memories and so many lives that shall never be erased. No tribute is truly fitting for such a great man. But I am sure he is at peace in Gods presence and with the love of his life. While Ray loved fishing on the Great Lake he also loved fishing for people he could share his faith with and others joined his journey with God along the way. Now we await our family reunion when we shall stand together in Gods presence and with those who have gone before us. Ray we love you.
Tricia Kingsley says
All of us at St. Monica’s were so blessed to have Ray grace our hallways and our lives during his final chapter this side of heaven. He brought so much joy to the whole staff and other community members!! I will miss seeing his wonderful smile. I’m sure his crown of glory shines so very bright.
Melanie Yagelski Seelig says
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. The internet does inform us of somethings we really do want to know. Have many cherished memories of fun family times. Ray and Jay taught Diane and I how to play pinochle in Grampa Yagelski’s kitchen when we were idling around while our parents sat at the dining room table playing their game with Grampa and Minnie.
Margaret says
God Bless Ray. He was a sweet man. My mother and him were cousins. I remember the family reunion and danced with him at weddings. May he rest in peace.
"Judy" Joanna hendricksen n nee yagelski says
Dearest Ray
So many happy memories of you are going thru my mind.
You buying my car in Europe. You taking the men in my family fishing for coho salmon. Your gift of turkey eggs. Our monthly phone calls to catch up on our life’s adventures.
God bless you.
Ken Hein Stratford wis. 715-506-0234 says
I meet ray at church in Florida. And we shared so many stories together. And he love to fish . So we went on some charters together in Florida. . We had so much fun together. I will miss ray . May he rest in peace .