Ray Stearman

Funeral services for Lionel Ray Stearman will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Mingus officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com Ray Stearman was born on December 3, 1923 in Goodnight, Oklahoma. As a young child Ray moved with his parents John H. and Ruth M. (McCorkle) Stearman to Cleveland, Oklahoma. Ray began his education in Cleveland and at the completion of his education Ray joined the United States Navy. He was initially stationed in San Diego and at the completion of his duty Aviation Mate Third Class Ray Stearman was honorably discharged. Upon his return Ray was united in marriage to the love of his life Lorene M. Dixon on August 8, 1942, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to the Tri State area of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. During this time Ray worked in the construction field as well as the coal mine industry. Ray and Lorene later moved to Pennsylvania where they remained until his retirement from the Operating Engineers Union Local 66 in 1989. Ray and Lorene then returned home to Cleveland where they have continued to reside. Ray enjoyed fishing in his spare time and most of all loved being around his family. He was an avid supporter and member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland for many years. Ray went to be with His Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 3, 2013 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years and one month. Survivors are his wife loving wife of Lorene Stearman; three sisters, Ethel Bowdre of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Ruth Wilkinson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Katy Vaughn of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by parents John H. and Ruth M. Stearman; four brothers, George E. Stearman, Franklin L. Stearman, John Henry "Hank" Stearman and Sam Stearman.