Ray Leverton's voice is silent tonight.  We won't hear him encouraging us to do a little more, a bit better, to keep trying, but his words will continue to resonate for those who knew him.  We will remember what he told us.

He believed the Lord had a plan for him and trusted Him always, and now sees the fruits of his labor and his faith…"to whom much is given, from him will much be required."

Raymond Albert Leverton was born on September 9, 1929, in Ishpeming, to Alice Hazel (Beebe) Leverton and Albert Richard Leverton, weeks before the Crash of '29.  He grew up poor but didn't know it.  He grew up rich in family, friends, and community spirit.  A loyal Hematite, he never lost his enthusiasm for his school or his hometown.  He was a proud graduate of Ishpeming High School, Class of 1947.

He studied trombone with Edson Stiles, a fine musician and teacher, and played with the Ishpeming City Band for many years.

Ray served his country with the US Army during the Korean War, 1951-1952, and returned to Ishpeming eager to get on with his life.

He married the best girl he ever met, Betty Jean Lundstrom, on August 21, 1954.  They were together until her death in 2013.

Ray worked , all his life, and did his best at whatever he committed to.  He had several jobs, with CCI, Anderson Dairy, Northern Dairy, Jones and Laughlin's Tracy Mine, and, until his retirement, Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad, and they paid the bills.  His real love was people and the community and organizations he felt blessed to be part of, and who were blessed in return by his presence.

Ray spent his time helping…. his family, his church, his school, his community, the Ishpeming Noon Kiwanis, the National Ski Hall of Fame, and many others who benefited from his generous spirit.  He was especially proud of the $600,000 raised for improvements to the Ishpeming Carnegie Library.

His was an example of what can be accomplished with patience and perseverance, kindness and generosity.  He received many awards during his life, but his real satisfaction was in getting things done, not giving up, and making friends with everyone he met.

He spent much of 2008 through 2014 caring for his wife and son, both of whom were victims of cruel diseases and who required years of support and treatment.  He never failed them and kept the faith long after others had given up.  He often said that Betty was the best wife any man could have, the "complete package."  His son, Steve, was successful in so many ways and Ray admired his many talents and accomplishments.  Their deaths left an unfillable void in his last years, and yet he continued to do what he could for his community.

Ray died on December 27, 2021, in the care of Teal Lake Senior Living Community and Lake Superior Lifecare and Hospice.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Betty and his son, Steven, and by his parents.

He is survived by his sister, Rosemary McCasland, son, David (Meta) Leverton, daughter, Karen (Philip) Nardi, grandchildren Matthew, John, Heather and Eric, and great-grandchildren Grace, Sam, Joseph and Laura.

Services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, on Saturday, January 8, 2021.  The family will greet visitors beginning at 10:00 AM (masks requested) and the memorial service will begin at noon, with a lunch to follow in Bethany's Fellowship Hall.  The Funeral will be livestreamed and may be found on Bethany Lutheran's Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/715Mather/ Memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church or to Ishpeming Public Schools' Capital Campaign.

The family would like to thank the staff at Teal Lake and Lake Superior Hospice for their professionalism and compassion.

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