Charles Ray Rich, age 77, of Converse passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017 at the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Charles was born October 14, 1939 in Marion, Indiana the son of the late Roscoe and Otha Ossel (Cabe) Rich.  He lived his whole life in Grant County and the last 46 years in the house he and his family built with their own hands, after working all day. 

He worked for IMI for 48 years as an Area Manager, and Maintenance and Operations over local IMI quarries until his retirement.   He was also a U.S. Navy veteran.  He married Cheryl Gingrich in 2005, his perfect match.   

Ray was a fix it, build it, operate it and teach you how to do it kind of guy, both at work and with his family.  He was happy to teach you how to do it and never hesitated to quietly coach you if you were doing it wrong.  Whichever it was it was with twinkling eyes, especially when holding court around his kitchen table.  He never had a dog that wasn’t spoiled rotten and many of them sat or slept in his lap and rode with him on his John Deere.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 10, the AMVETS Post 5, both in Marion, Indiana and the Moose Lodge 813 in Ruskin, Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Rich of Converse, Indiana; children, Terri Payne (Tim) of Granbury, Texas, Paul Rich (Dena) of Wabash, Indiana, Debbie Byrd (Lonnie) of San Angelo, Texas, Raymond Rich of Greensboro, N. Carolina and Danielle Artrip of Peru, Indiana; brother-in-law, Mike Gingrich (Cheri) of California; mother-in-law, Carolyn (Wittes) Gingrich of Ruskin, Florida; grandchildren, Michael Payne (Diana) of Manassas, Virginia, Jeffrey Payne (Myaann) of Grand Prairie, Texas, Sam (Lynde) Rich of Hartford City, Indiana, Tanner Hendrix (Allison) of Wabash, Indiana, Shelby Hendrix of Marion, Indiana, Erica Guidry (Roland)of Baytown, Texas, Christopher Brown (Cati) of San Antonio, Heather Sluss (Aaron) of Molokai, Hawaii, Amber Rich of Asheboro, N. Carolina, Katie Rich of Bloomington, Indiana, Jessica Yeakle of San Antonio, Texas, Crystal Dulhanty (John) of Marion, Indiana, Hannah Burnett, Dylan Burnett and Gabby Weller, all of Bunker Hill, Indiana; and great-grandchildren, Max, Nikolaz, Archer, Taylor, Ryder, Amelia, Carissa, Kylie, Rozlin, Jackson, Tanner, Ashton, Deagan, Kendra, Zander, Ajax and Charlie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 sisters and brothers, Alson, Norma, John, Lillian, Rosa, Doris, Marvin and Melvin; father-in-law, Lowell Gingrich; brother-in-law, Bruce Neal Gingrich; and grandson, Raymond Rich Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at Noon Friday, September 1, 2017 in Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana with Chaplain Dave Kogel officiating.

Friends and family may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 31, 2017 in the funeral home.

Burial with full military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2017 in Marion National Cemetery, Marion, Indiana.

The family would like to extend their special thanks to the doctors and nursing staff on the fourth floor of the VA Surgical ICU.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Help The Hopeful, 618 Val Lane, Marion, Indiana 46952.

Online condolences may be made at www.ravenchoate.com

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