REINO (RAY) RUDOLPH METSALA

Ray (87) was born on November 27, 1921 in Ontonagon to Leonard and Jenny (Ojala) Metsala. He went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2008 at the Aspirus Long Term Unit. He was a member of the Siloa Church and the American Legion. On October 9, 1948 he married Lorraine Eliasson. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Throughout Ray's life he had several different occupations. He managed different area Co-op's, operated gas stations, worked as a Jewel-T salesman, drove the Ontonagon ambulance, and was an Ontonagon transit driver until he retired in 1988.

Ray is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and three daughters, Phyllis (Bill) Vogelmann, Susan (Bill) Thomas, and Claranne (Randy) Ongie. Six grandchildren Karyn (Jerry) Juntunen, Jason (Melissa) Thomas, Robin (Drew) Mikkola, David (Alissa) Ongie, Matt Ongie and Jared Ongie. He also has three great-grandchildren Tyson, Joy, and Fletcher Thomas. He has one sister in law, Miriam Metsala.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Jenny Metsala, three brothers Ernie (Margaret) Metsala, Lawrence Metsala, and Edward (Gerry) Metsala; three sisters Sylvia Niederkorn, Mabel (Sylvester) Hoffman, infant sister Norma; two sisters in law and one brother in law.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31st at 1:00 p.m. at the Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call at the church 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Spring burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon. Friends may view Ray's obituary and leave condolences at canefuneralhome.com.