Ray C. Van Deusen, a loving husband and father, passed away November 9, 2007, after a long illness. Mr. Van Deusen was born in Waldren, Michigan on July 5, 1919 and moved to Muncie, Indiana in 1944. He graduated from Ball State University with a Master's Degree in 1956 and was a veteran of World War II, having served as a private first class in the Army. He retired after thirty years of teaching from Claypool Elementary School in 1981. Mr. Van Deusen and his wife Alice lived in Muncie until 2005 when they moved to Arkansas to live with one of their daughters. Mr. Van Deusen was an ordained minister. He attended and was considered a member of River View Church and United Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana.
Anyone who ever met Ray, knew him for his firm and unshakable belief in God and family. His sense of humor lifted the energy and spirit of all around him, wherever he went.
Ray is survived by his beloved wife of fifty seven years, Alice, three cherished daughters, Jeanne Chapman, Laura Gorman, and Ruth Hyslip and her husband; his grandchildren, Kristin Chapman, Jennifer Schweitzer, Karin Schweitzer, Mark Gorman, Marsha Gorman, Francis Gorman, David Skaggs and Andrea Mertz; his great-grandchildren, Kasey, Kyla, Kelsey, Kinsey and Christie Gorman, Anthony and Adam Gorman and Jarrad and Kaitlyn Mertz and his daughter-in-law, Bea Skaggs and her family. Ray was preceded in death by two sons, David M. Skaggs and Kenneth P. Skaggs.
A Visitation will be held in Muncie, Indiana Monday Night (times pending). Services will be on Tuesday, November 13, in Muncie, Indiana. Interment will be in Garden of Memory Cemetery in Muncie, Indiana.
Local arrangements in Heber Springs were by Heber Springs Funeral Home.
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