Muriel A. Ray
Muriel A. Ray, 93, of Petrolia passed away Saturday at Lancaster General Hospital.
She was born Jan. 25, 1925, in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, La., the daughter of Joseph P. Ruffino II and Alice A. (Lewis) Ruffino Stalenski.
Muriel spent her youth in Louisiana but left after meeting Merle “Brownie” Ray when he was stationed at DeRidder Air Force Base in Opelousas during World War II. The two married on Oct. 14, 1944, and lived in Maryland for a short time before returning to Merle's hometown of North Washington.
Muriel dedicated her life to caring for her family and she also helped her husband run his business, Ray's Esso gas station, later Ray's Exxon.
Reading and playing cards at home were two of her favorite hobbies.
She was a member of the Community Alliance Church of Butler.
Muriel will be remembered for her kind spirit and will be greatly missed.
Her memory will be cherished by her sons, Thomas G. Ray and his wife, Kimiko, of Petrolia, and Merle Ray Jr. and his wife, Holly, of Strasburg; her daughter, Deborah A. Hallman and her husband, Bob, of Lancaster; her nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Muriel was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 65 years, Merle Ray, who died July 25, 2010; a brother, Harold J. Ruffino; and her half-sister, Charlene Boyd.
RAY — Relatives and friends of Muriel A. Ray, who died Saturday, April 7, 2018, will be received from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 102 S. Argyle St., Petrolia, with Pastor Joe Floris officiating.Burial will be in North Washington Union Cemetery, North Washington.To send a condolence to Muriel's family, please visit www.bauerhillisfuneral.com.
