Raymond Lahikainen, 86, of Houghton went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2015.
Ray was born on February 17, 1929, in Dollar Bay, a son of the late Otto and Rose (Jackola) Lahikainen. He attended Dollar Bay High School.
He was a veteran during World War II, assigned to the Army Armored School.
On April 3, 1948, he married his dear wife June Bodi. They were married for 59 years before she passed away on September 2, 2007.
Ray and June lived in the Chicago suburbs for 42 years before returning to the Copper Country in 1991. His passion for art spanned a career of more than 67 years. Ray graduated from the American Academy of Art, was employed as a designer for an industrial design firm, owned a fine art and design studio, and was the director of visual arts and museum curator for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.
He pursued oil painting in his retirement years. Local scenes were often favorites. He said of his art, “I try and portray beauty in such a way that will uplift people. My Christian beliefs feed my spirit to do things that are encouraging.”
Ray was devoted to serving the Lord. He was a very active member and elder at Moody Church in Chicago and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Dollar Bay.
His family was always number one with Ray. He cherished his wife and the time he spent with his children. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He is preceded in death by his wife, June; four sisters: Alma Jones, Milma Scammell, Miriam Kemppainen, and Sylvia Franz; and five brothers: Eino, Arnold, Bill, Ed, and George.
Ray is survived by three daughters: Sandra (Robert) Slater of Versailles, Kentucky; Gail (James) Sweeting of Chassell; and Debra (Daniel) Reminga of Houghton; granddaughter, Kristin (Robert) Purdy, Richmond, Kentucky; great granddaughter, Lily Jolee Purdy; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 4, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, Dollar Bay, with Pastor Brian Knight to officiate. A visitation will be held prior to the service at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until noon.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements, and condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
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