D. Ray Ellenberger, 89, of State College, died Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Danville. Born March 30, 1920, in Gatesburg, he was a son of the late Arthur and Maude Myers Ellenberger. He married Marjorie Moist Johnson in 1976, who predeceased him.
He was a 1939 graduate of State College High School. He attended Penn State in dairy husbandry. Ray served in the Army during WWII and served in the Army's Enlisted Reserve Corps from 1946 to 1949. He was a co-owner of Meadow Pride Dairy from 1947 and later retired from Schneider Valley Farms in 2003. He was a 50-year member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was a trustee and a Past Exulted Ruler of B.P.O.E. Lodge #1600, and was instrumental in the development of the Elks Country Club and Golf Course in Boalsburg. Ray was an avid golfer. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home, especially to Jackson Hole, Wyo. He was a fan of the Phillies, the Steelers and Penn State football.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Betsy L. Wiser and her husband, Gary, of State College; three grandchildren, Wendy Davidson and her husband, Joseph, Alan Wiser, and Marcie Rockey and her husband, Chad; three great-grandchildren; four step-children, Ronald Johnson, of State College, Gregg Johnson, of Evansville, Ind., Dan Johnson, of Tyrone, and Deborah Pulcinello and her husband, Frank, of Bellwood; seven step-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren. Along with his parents and wife, Marjorie, he was predeceased by two brothers, Eugene and George, and a sister, Mae Way.
Visitation will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the funeral home with Reverend Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders and Reverend Eric J. Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Ross Cemetery, Warriors Mark.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., State College, PA 16801.