Ishpeming – Raymond S. "Ace" Windsand, age 96, longtime resident of 1850 North Lake Dr. in Ishpeming passed away on Thursday September 15, 2016 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He had been in the loving care of his family, staff members at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans and the Lake Superior Hospice at the time of his death.

Raymond was born October 10, 1919 in Ishpeming, MI the son of the late Ditlef and Karen (Johnson or Gjǿlmesli) Windsand. Raymond grew up in a large family in Ishpeming and attended the Ishpeming Schools. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on March 31, 1942 in Marquette, MI. Raymond was a Rt. Waist Gunner on a B-24 Liberator during World War II having flown over 50 missions including battles and campaigns in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Air Offensive Europe and Air Combat Balkans. He received the EAME Ribbon with 4 battle stars, American Theater Ribbon, Air Medal and the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from the 233 Army Air Force Base Unit on Oct. 23, 1945.

Raymond worked as an underground miner first for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., then for Jones & Laughlin at the Tracy Mine and lastly at the White Pine Copper Mine prior to working for the Ishpeming School District as a janitor prior to his retirement. Raymond was a private pilot for 49 years and truly enjoyed flying. He was a member of EAA and received many trophies for his abilities in spot landings. He was also a member of the Ishpeming VFW Post #4573. He spent many hours at Buck's Restaurant in the company of friends, or just sitting at home with a bowl of ice cream or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ray loved painting or doing cement work.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Carlyon Windsand at Jacobetti in Marquette, 3 children – Jim (Debbie) Windsand of Haslett, Mary (Jay Clancey) Windsand of Negaunee, and Doris (Alan Dausman) Windsand of Oak Ridge, TN, sister Marie Herlich of Marquette, 3 grandchildren – Jennifer (Gerard) Ascani, Jason Windsand and Kenneth (Brittney) Windsand, 2 great grandchildren Eli and Luna Ascani along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings – Donald Windsand, Edel Windsand, Jeanette Koski, Eleanor Baird, Edgar, George and William Windsand and Ruth Helberg.

The Windsand Family will greet relatives and friends from 10am until the time of services at 11am on Monday September 19, 2016 at the Chapel in the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. Military Honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380.

The family wishes to thank the Staff at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans along with the Lake Superior Hospice for their kind and compassionate care and in lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be directed to either the Lake Superior Hospice or the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

Raymond's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .