Ray Lynch
May 22, 2010
Ray J. Lynch, 64, of West Des Moines passed away at Mercy Hospice-Johnston on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Ray was born on September 4, 1945 in New Hampton, Iowa to Martin and Agnes Lynch. He served in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967 and was employed with the Federal Aviation Administration for 35 years, retiring in 2005.
Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway where there will be a Vigil service at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 11:00 am with burial to follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
He married Jean Van Besien on August 31, 1968 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Ray’s passion in life was his family, friends and old cars.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jean; a son Scott of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter, Lori (Shane) and grandson Tristan of West Des Moines; his mother, Agnes of West Union, IA; three brothers, Jim (Marty) of Mesquite, NV, Don (Mary) of Yukon, OK, Dave (Laura) of Waucoma, IA; one sister, Ann (Alan) Bodensteiner of Hawkeye, IA. Three brother-in-laws, Richard (Sandy) Van Besien of Waterloo, Bill (Donna) Schachterle of Ackley, IA, Ed Malek of Ellsworth, IA; four sister-in-laws, Joan Hoveland of Waterloo IA, Jane (Gene) Zeck of Washington, IA, Carol (Jim) Powell of Prairie du Chien, WI, Mary Kaye Mintline of Colfax, CA and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susie, his father, Martin, his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Margaret Van Besien, two brother-in-laws, Rich Hoveland and Bill Mintline and two sister-in-laws, Virginia Malek and Dorothy Schachterle.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or Mercy Hospice.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Debbie Colby McArthur
06/02/2010
Jean, Scott and Lori,
I was so very sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I have many fond memories of him during my childhood. I especially remember his laugh. Over the years I have often thought of him and my dad drinking beer in your garage while watching it rain. I hope you find peace in knowing that he will live on through you all.
Blessings,
Deb, Don, Mac and Colby McArthur
Rick & Jean Colby
06/01/2010
Jean, Scott, and Lori,
Rick and I were so very sorry to hear of Ray's death. We know he will be greatly missed and that now all the world's problems, for him, have been solved. You are in our prayers.
Judy Vogt
05/27/2010
Thinking of you & your family in this time of sorrow. Cherish your fond memories and the happy times you had. My prayers include you & your family.
Dean Taylor
05/26/2010
It is with a heavy heat that I write this as I cannot personally convey my condolences to the Lynch Family due to my current health condition.
I feel privileged to have met Ray after I hired into the Des Moines office in 2005. I always looked forward to the times he would stop by and we all would go to lunch to share good food and conversations. One time I will always remember is the good conversations I shared with Ray while having a pork chop on a stick at the Iowa State Fair prior to my transfer to Kansas City.
May God bless you and your family during this time and always.
Candace Bruner Bernard
05/26/2010
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. Jean, I can truly say I know how you feel since I went through the same experience. Don't let anyone say it will get easier, because it doesn't. But, you do eventually get use to it. I feel so terribly sad for you at this time and wish you well. I am available at any time if you need support and someone to talk to. Please take care and know my thoughts are with you at this most difficult time.
Candace
Pamela Essmann
05/26/2010
Jean, Scott and Lori...
I was very saddened to hear of Ray's passing. What a special person and so considerate. Always a smile and a hug for everyone. Your family has been in my prayers for the last year and will continue to be. Love to all!! Ken & Pam Essmann
Stephen Stark family
05/25/2010
Jean, Scott & Lori--
We are all thinking of you and sending you love. We will always remember Ray as a fun, thoughtful and caring friend. He was a wonderful father figure for Steve and set a great example for us all. We will dearly miss him.
Love--
Steve, Tracey, Sophie & Caleb
Linda Sims Paar
05/25/2010
Jean and family, I was so sorry to hear about Ray's death. He was a good soul. We have been friends for so long and shared so many of life's experiences. These are the times that are especially difficult. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Linda
Paulette Hoffer Ziegfeld
05/25/2010
Jean,
It has been too many years to count since I've seen you (25th HS reunion?), but I want you to know that I am thinking about you and your family during this sad time. I am so sorry for your loss.
Paulette
Jake Blitsch
05/24/2010
Jeannie
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I passed this on to Diann (Minikus) too as she was shirt-tail relation to Ray.
You are in my prayers.
Jake Blitsch
Columbus High School Class of '66
05/24/2010
Jean and family,
Our prayers and deepest sympathy to all of you. Our hearts are sad. We hope you can find
some peace in the wonderful memories you have of the life you shared with Ray. We all send
our love.
Linda Laing Narins
05/24/2010
Jean, I am SO SORRY about the death of your husband. I see that he recently retired and should be enjoying easier days.
I meant to, but don't think I did, express my condolences to Joan too.
You both must have gone through such difficult days.
I have such fond memories of you two dear girls at Columbus and wanted you to know I send my love and condolences to you and your families!!! Linda
Judy & Ed Heying
05/23/2010
I will miss the e-mails. Ray always kept me current. We will miss the visits when you were in AZ.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Chuck & Heather Malek & Family
05/24/2010
Jean, Scott, Lori-
We will miss Ray, he was a fun guy to hang out with, always had a smile on his face and always happy to see you. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. We are grateful to have been blessed to know him during his time here and will be happy to see him again someday. He was welcomed into heaven with open arms and had many loved ones waiting there to greet him I am sure of that. We love you all and wish you peace during this difficult time.
Love and God Bless you all, Chuck, Heather, Zachary, Ashlea, Diana, and Kathryn
Linda (Bass) Lowe
05/24/2010
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this
trying time.