09/02/2014

Obituary for The Rev. Raymond F. Wolf

The Rev. Raymond F. Wolf, 84, of Pickerington, died Sunday, August 31, 2014, at his home. He was born October 18, 1929, in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Norma Wolf, and a sister Bernice (Glen) Witt. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Henrietta Krift Wolf; and by their three loving daughters, Ann (Mitch) Leak, Susan (Don) Wood, and Kay (Brett) Bressler; seven grandchildren, Katie (Nick) Snider, Alison Leak, Ryan (Jenna) Wood, Kyle Wood, Tyler Wood, Jordan Bressler, and Luke Bressler; two great-grandchildren, Carson Snider and Claire Wood; and two nephews, Ronald Witt and Jeffrey Witt.

Ray graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1947, from Capital University in 1951, and from what is now Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1955. Following graduation from the Seminary he was called by the Michigan District of the American Lutheran Church to become the first pastor of the new American Lutheran Church of Mt. Clemens, MI.

During his sixth year in the parish, he was invited to return to his alma mater where he served in various offices during the next 47 years as Director of Church Relations, Director of Public Relations, Director of Planned Giving, and Director of Major Gifts. Through the years he has served on various committees and boards in the areas of Public Relations and Development at the local, state and national levels.

He has been an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pickerington.

Friends may visit Tuesday, September 2, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N (St. Rt. 256) Pickerington, OH 43147 where a Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tim Kuenzli officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed instead to the Epiphany Lutheran Mission Endowment Fund, to the Krift-Wolf Endowed Scholarship Fund at Capital University, or to Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Arrangements by the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, Pickerington, OH. Online condolences at www.SpenceFuneralHome.com. 

(Obituary originally printed in The Columbus Dispatch, September 2, 2014)