Raphael Maerz

DANE - Raphael "Ray" Peter Maerz, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home with loved ones by his side on Friday, June 10, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1931, in the town of Martinsville to Peter and Christine Maerz. Ray went to school in the area. He served in the Korean War as a PFC engineer. Returning from the war, he married Ruth Borg. Ray worked 39 years as a meat cutter at Oscar Mayer. Together, Ray and Ruth raised eight children. Ray was a hard-working, honest man who loved spending time with family and friends, while enjoying his favorite hobbies of Euchre, fishing, hunting, polka dancing, spending time at Lake Mason Campground, and watching NASCAR racing. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife; his children, Tom (Gail Carpenter) of Madison, Chris (Dave) Benesh of Lodi, Karen (Dan) Koenig of Dane, Shirley (Dan) Dilley of Rio, and Mary (Nick) Cable of Lodi, Terry of Mercer, and Jerry (Mary) of Dane; his 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jane Esser and Virginia (Edmund) Karls and other family members. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Raphael Maerz, his parents, his sisters, Deloris and Cecelia, his brother-in-law, Lawrence Esser.

Visitation will be 8:30-11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at BLESSED TRINITY PARISH ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH, 109 S. Military Rd., Dane with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial in the church cemetery will follow mass.

"The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff and medical personnel of St. Mary's Hospital Cardiac Unit and Agrace HospiceCare for their care, kindness and support."

"Until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
608-849-4513