Raphael Brickner Obituary

Raphael J. "Ray" Brickner

Raphael J. Brickner, 91, of Findlay, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at Genoa Retirement Village, Genoa, following complications from a stroke.

He was born Feb. 20, 1933, in Huron County to Raphael G. and Olga (Schreiner) Brickner. He married Mary Louise Ruffing in Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, April 7, 1953.

He is survived by sons, Steven (Esta) of Ledyard, Connecticut and Anthony (Aimee) of Wexford, Pennsylvania; daughters, Barbara (Charles) Weaver of Mansfield, and Lisa (Karl) Schwalenberg of Northwood; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his good friend and traveling companion, Mary Kay Phillips, of Findlay.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, June 16, 2011; son, Brian (Gina) of Mansfield; grandson, Thomas Weaver; and siblings, Mark, Gerard, and Germaine Geyman.

Ray graduated in 1951 from St. Wendelin High School in Fostoria. He proudly served in the 8th Infantry, U.S. Army between 1953-1955, including during the Korean Conflict, and resided with his family in Colorado Springs while stationed at Fort Carson. He then worked for General Electric for 33 years and raised his family in Tiffin. Ray enjoyed working outdoors, motorcycling, and traveling, with frequent visits to his beloved Great Smokies and Rocky Mountains, as well as annual summer visits with his family at a cabin at Gem Beach, Catawba Island. He and Mary Lou retired to Sevierville, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains for six years before moving to Findlay in 1997.

Friends and family may visit 10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, with a celebration of life and prayer service beginning at 11 a.m. at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, (419-422-1500). Interment will immediately follow at Seneca Memory Gardens, Tiffin.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to one's favorite charity, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio (https://www.hospicenwo.org), who were very caring in providing comfort to Ray in his final days.

The family also extends its sincere gratitude for all the care provided by the many medical and healthcare staff at ProMedica Toledo (Stroke Unit) and Genoa Retirement Village (Skilled Nursing), as well to Ray's many friends among fellow residents and staff at Brookdale Findlay, all of whom made his life so enjoyable this year.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.