Raymond D. Paxson, 70, a lifelong resident of rural Pennville, (Penn Township, Jay County) passed away at 9:52 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.
He was born on Friday, Jan. 8, 1954, in Bluffton. He married Sue Ellen (Rippy) Paxson on Friday, June 8, 1973, at the Pennville U.M.C. Ray graduated from Pennville High School in 1972 and graduated from Purdue in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and teaching. Ray taught at Warren Central High School, worked at Production Credit in Portland, was vice president of Ossian State Bank, and had also worked at Farm Credit in Bluffton. Ray also worked at Raymond James in Bluffton, Markle Bank in Bluffton, First Merchant’s Bank in Bluffton, and retired as senior vice president. He was a member of the Gilead Church in Bryant, and was a Jay County farmer for many years. Ray received the Century Farm Award from the Jay County Fair Association in 2016 and had also received the Hoosier Homestead Farm award.
Ray will be forever missed by his wife, Sue Ellen (Rippy) Paxson of Portland; son, Daniel (Angela) D. Paxson of Pennville; daughter, Angela (Jason) K. Shawver of Portland; son, Andrew (Heather) C. Paxson of Bryant; grandchildren, Nathaniel Paxson, Cameran Paxson, Avery Paxson, Carson Paxson, Kavyn Adams, Ainslee Paxson and Jacob Shawver; sister, Donna Bense of Columbus; brothers, Edward Paxson of Carmel, Richard Paxson of Bryant, Max Paxson of Bryant, Bill Paxson of Bryant; mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law, Alton and Nancy Swingley of Portland; brother-in-law, Brian (Shelly) Rippy of Winchester; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Paxson and Mabel Ilene (Hesher) Paxson; grandchild, Weslee Paxson; sister, Connie Paxson; brother, David Paxson; and and father-in-law, Kenneth Rippy.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember from 1-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Windsor St. in Montpelier, and one hour prior to service on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
A service to celebrate Ray’s life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home with Pastor John Myers officiating. Interment will follow in the Twin Hill – I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Pennville.
Preferred memorials may be made to the Gilead Church 8435 W. 650 N. Bryant, IN. 47326 or to Rock Steady Boxing 128 E. Market St. Bluffton, IN. 46714
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home in Montpelier.
Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com.