Ray Stuckwisch, 88, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus February 22, 2016. He was born in Pierce County, Nebraska on May 23, 1927, to Henry and Hertha Setzkorn Stuckwisch. Ray grew up in battle Creek, Nebraska. In 1949 he married June Eichstaedt.
A graduate of Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL, he pastored Lutheran churches in San Jose, Decatur and Peoria, IL for over 25 years. Ray married Marilyn Dankert in August 1977. They moved to Phoenix in 1989. In Arizona, Ray served Lutheran churches on a part time basis in Black Canyon City and Cordes Lakes. His great joy was visiting the homebound of Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. He was a former member of the Kiwanis, enjoyed playing cribbage and bowling and was an avid golfer. His parents, three brothers and his youngest son, Paul and former wife preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marilyn Stuckwisch; his sons, Steven (Tammra), Philip (Ann) and Mark Stuckwisch; daughter Beth Rae Cady (Steven); stepsons, David (Holly) and Darren Dankert (Judith), grandchildren, Jason (Sarah), Jeanne Kobler (Justin), Daniel (Laura) and Andrew (Veronica) Stuckwisch, Kaitlyn Cordova (Cameron), Stephanie Cady and S. Terry Cady, Nicholas and Alexander Dankert, great-grandchildren, Madison, Brayden, Christopher, Alexia, Breck, Layne, Colbie, Rylie, Norah Rae and Jonah; 17 nieces and nephews and many friends. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Christ Church Lutheran, 3901 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Memorials may be made to Valley Lutheran High School or Christ Lutheran School. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
steve l enlow
My very first pastor at Mt Calvary Lutheran Church in decatur il. This pastor made a profound impression on me at a young age ( 10,11,12 yrs. ) that i wanted to become a pastor, well that didn’t happen. We moved around the time he left but i still have warm memories of him and those days, miss him and those days. Steve.