Jean Ann (Salyer) Ray

Jean Ann Ray was born on September 25, 1953 in Columbus, Ohio. She was one of six children born to the union of Launfull “Fuzzy” and Betty (Kirk) Salyer.  Jean attended Taylor Center High School in Taylor, Michigan, graduating with the class of 1989. For over twenty years Jean was employed by Aberdeen Skilled Nursing as a Rehabilitation Nurse before retiring in 2015.

Jean was a loving mother and grandmother being blessed with two beautiful children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Spending time with her family was the number one priority in Jean’s life.  She was a member of the New Wine Community Church in Taylor, Michigan and loved worshipping at church.

Jean enjoyed travelling to destinations with her best friend of over forty years, Margaret. Together the pair took trips to Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, and California but her favorite excursion was the cruise she took to Alaska.  Jean loved watching movies whether it was an old western or a Shirley Temple classic, but her all-time favorite movie was Brave Heart, having watched it on numerous occasions.

Jean took great pride in the appearance of her home.  She loved spending time connecting with nature tending to her flower beds where she grew tulips, roses and carnations by watering and pruning.  When she wasn’t tending to the homestead, Jean was typically in search of a game of bingo, one of her favorite pastimes.

Jean Ann Ray, age 70 of Brownstown, Michigan passed away on Thursday; October 19, 2023, at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Temperance, Michigan under the care of Caroline Hospice.  Her passing was preceded by her parents: Launfall “Fuzzy” and Betty Salyer.

To cherish Jean’s memory, she leaves her daughter: Sandra (Casey) Kerr of Brownstown; her son: Steven (Denise) Ray of Erie, Michigan; three sisters: Polly Salyer, Patty (Ron) Neff, and Sue Salyer, all of Crooksville, Ohio; two brothers: Junior (Sharon) Salyer of New Lexington, Ohio and Frank (Alena) Salyer of Crooksville, Ohio; four grandchildren: Nichole Holsing of Belleville, Michigan, Steven (Carrie) Ray of LaSalle, Michigan, Michael Holsing of Dearborn, Michigan, and Andrew Holsing of Brownstown; one great granddaughter: Paisley Ray of LaSalle, Michigan; and her special friend of over forty years; Margaret Taalibdin of Detroit, Michigan.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 6:00pm on Tuesday; October 24, 2023, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.  A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Bob Jeannot of New Wine Community Church in Taylor, Michigan, officiating.  Her care will then be transferred for an additional gathering from 10:00am until 1:00pm on Friday; October 27, 2023 at Goebel Funeral Home; 36 North Buckeye Street, Crooksville, Ohio 43731 (740) 982-4911. A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held at 1:00pm, also at Goebel Funeral Home with Pastor Marc Caton officating.  Procession will follow to Iliff Cemetery in Crooksville, Ohio for burial.