Ray A. Mersdorf

Mr. Ray A. Mersdorf, of Bay City, MI, left our arms to be held again in the arms of his loving wife and his heavenly father on Wednesday January 7, 2015 at McLaren Bay Region. Age 89 years. Ray was born on the fourth of July, 1925 .... minutes after his twin brother Roy to the late Charles and Lillian (Jacobs) Mersdorf. He graduated from T.L. Handy High School and was immediately called to the service of his country. He served in the United States Army during WW II with the Headquarters Battery 78th Armored Field Artillery Battalion as a tank driver in Italy and advanced to the rank of Sargent before his discharge and retired from General Motors Co. Saginaw Plant. He married the love of his life the former Cecelia Arlene LaFond on February 11, 1947 and they enjoyed 64 wonderful years together before her death on July 6, 2011. Six weeks later he suffered the loss of his best friend and twin brother Roy. Ray was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish and a former member of Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He is lovingly remembered as the best father and grandfather by his daughter Julie Shorkey and her husband Wil, their sons and their families; Todd and Marla Shorkey and their children; Emily and Ethan; Jeff and Shannon Shorkey and their children; Landry, Hannah and Quinn. He is also survived by one brother-in-law; Floyd Wiesen, one sister-in-law; Lois O'Farrell and many special nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and loving wife Cecelia and twin brother Roy he was also preceded in death by two brothers; Clifford and Charles Mersdorf and two sisters; Eleanor Bartreau and Argetta (Julia) Cossins. The family would like to thank Dr.'s Uma Cherakuri, S. Dandamudi and the staff of 4 east at McLaren Bay Region for their exceptional care and compassion, especially nurses; Doris Amy and Tania during the time they cared for Mr. Mersdorf. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Monday January 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Parish -St. Mary of the Assumption Church 607 East South Union Street, Bay City, MI 48706. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Patrick M. Jankowiak with the Rite of Committal following in Floral Gardens Cemetery under the auspices of the United States Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Sunday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Mersdorf will be taken to the church on Monday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. and until the time of the Mass. Memorial cards for the Alzheimer's Foundation, Lymphoma Foundation or the Leukemia Foundation will be available.