Ray was born on June 16, 1942, in Medaryville, Indiana to Hallie Everett and Edna Mae (Brick) Saltsman. On May 19, 1962, he married Shirley Ann Shelton, the love of his life. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Ray worked hard through the years to provide for his family, being employed by Chet Coburn, Kiser Aluminum, Hicks Gas, Northway, Allis Chalmers, Monon Trailer and he retired in 2011 after many years of working at Talbert Trailers. He also served on the Medaryville Town Board. He deeply loved his family and cherished spending time with them. He also enjoyed building and remodeling, yardwork, feeding and watching birds & squirrels, hunting, fishing, camping, bonfires and cookies. Being a jack of all trades, he was the one that everyone in the family went to for help. Ray loved teaching people how to care for things and others. He was a member of Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville, IN.
Raymond is survived by his wife: Shirley, children: Ray (Pam) Saltsman Jr of Rensselaer, Gina (Tod) Masters of Medaryville, 3 granddaughters: (who were the apple of his eye) Holly (Darin) Owens, Leticia (Corey) Sutton and Sydney (DJ) Vogt, great-grandchildren: Levi & Caden Owens, Emmalynn, Elaina, Leonidas & Cyrus Sutton, Shawn Marsteller & Emmett Vogt. Brothers, Don (Jean) Saltsman, Tom Saltsman, sisters, Mary (Art) Coburn, Peggy (Bill) Coburn, former daughter in law: Gina Byroad and grandchildren: Jeri Chapman, Brandon (Elyse) Williams, Rylee (Travis) Rodriguez & Nathan (Breanne) Williams and 14 great-grandchildren: along with a host of Church family, friends, nieces and nephews and children that he treated as his own.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son: Brian Duane Saltsman, sisters: Doris June Saltsman, Helen Wrench, Evelyn Nelson, Ruthanne Terry, Mildred Bennett, Violet McCoy and Lucille Dunn, and one brother: Archie “Skip” Saltsman.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM EST at the Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. The funeral will be Friday, September 10, 2021, at 10:30 AM EST also at the Church. Services will be conducted by Pastor Steve DeMoss and Evangelist Tod Masters. The burial will take place at the Bethlehem Cemetery in Medaryville.
In lieu of contributions, the family asks for you to “pay it forward” to someone in need.
Boersma Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
