Raymond Elton Gessel ("Ray"), 73, of Grove City, OH, died Monday evening, February 6, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. Born July 17, 1938, in Beverly, OH, he was the son of the late Alice Lucille (Baldwin) and Raymond Duel Gessel. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathryn (Rauch) Gessel. They lived in Belpre, OH, for many years, and retired to Grove City in 2011. Following graduation from Beverly High School, Ray worked in industrial sales for more than 40 years. Ray later worked in business development for Citizens Bank Company and Bartlett Farmers Bank. Ray had been active in many organizations and activities, including several terms on the Warren Local School Board, charter member and past president of the Belpre Rotary Club, and had been active in the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid sports fan and had played golf in his leisure time. In retirement, Ray took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, whether staying in touch by phone, traveling to see them, or following their participation in sports and school activities. He will be remembered for his love of family, his commitment to community, and his quick wit and sense of humor. Ray was preceded in death by his infant daughter Karen Susan Gessel. In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by two sons and two daughters, Alan (Sherry) Gessel of Highland Village, TX, Barbara Gessel of Toledo, OH, Thomas (Kelly) Gessel of Louisville, KY, and Erica (Fred) Golden of Galloway, OH, and his sisters, Betty (Thomas) Hurte of Marietta, OH, and Belva (Donald) Spung of Waterford, OH. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Haley and Bobby Gessel, Julie Gessel, and Connor, Evan and Katie Golden. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home in Barlow. The family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be directed to the Belpre Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 318, Belpre, OH 45714 or the American Cancer Society, 870 Michigan Ave., Columbus, OH 43215. Arrangements are being handled through the Barlow Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home.
