Raymond A. Koehlke

Raymond was born to Sylvester and Hilda Koehlke on June 2, 1929. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Marlene Koehlke (nee Metz). He is the beloved father of Mark (Portia) Koehlke, Jeff (Mary) Koehlke, Steve (Missy) Koehlke and Lisa (Ron) Siciliano; cherished grandfather of Mark (Tina), Laura, Ashley (Blake), Cameron, Nick (Margot), Robin (Jordan), Kim (Scott), Maria, Aimee (Aaron), Alex (Chad), Kasey (Andrew) and Anthony; great grandfather of Max, Addison, Aubree, Lincoln, Elaine, Skylar, Brantley and Zachary; and great great grandfather to Madelynn. He is survived by his sister Joan (the late George) Puening, sister-in-law Marilyn (the late Larry) Chambers, special niece Pat (Jim) Voegeli along with many other nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Tom Keane.  Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Norbert (Alma) Koehlke, Earl (Edna) Koehlke, Elmer (Shirley) Koehlke, Thelma Vanoflen, Erwin (Liz) Koehlke, Mary Macke and Robert (Jeanette) Koehlke. 

Ray will be remembered by his family as a sweet, gentle, hard-working man that provided for his family. He led a very simple life, not asking for much other than things needed to follow a regimented schedule. He smiled easily and always appeared to be happy and content. One of his favorite lines was "just waiting on my orders." He probaby picked that up from his time enlisted in the Navy from 1950-1954. He was honorably discharged as Molder First Class, an impressive achievement considering the length of his enlistment. 

Post Navy he returned to school to earn his GED. His time working in the Navy Foundry led him to employment in a variety of pattern shops including Fisher Body from which he retired. Pattern making is a lost craft but one that served Ray well, as it led him to develop a lifelong love for woodworking and craftsmanship that would be passed along to his sons. 

Some of his greatest joys came from cabinetry and things around the house with fancy woodwork (gingerbread as he called it). Ray also loved to take all day to cut grass and tend to the yard, being sure to "schedule" a lunch break. 

Another favorite thing was family gatherings which the next day were always referred to as "that was some party." We'll never forget his obsession with clocks, thermometers and doing things on a schedule. His children will always have the work ethic he instilled in them and will fondly remember his desire to always be there to help out. 

A visitation for Ray will be held at St. John Neumann Church on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 10 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment at Gate of Heaven will immediately follow. Please consider donations in Ray's memory made out to Hospice of Cincinnati. 
 

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