Raymond (Ray) Joseph Robben, 68, of Staples, died March 23, 2009 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be March 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and Parish Prayers at 6:45 p.m.

Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Ray was born on June 19, 1940, in Bertha, to Henry and Augusta (Griep) Robben. He graduated from Staples High School in 1958. Following his schooling he entered the United States Navy serving his country during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

On Feb. 13, 1965, Ray married Gloria Martin at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. The couple farmed the home place in Staples Township. After he retired he became a handyman, doing remodeling and building cabinets. Ray enjoyed the outdoors, he loved to hunt and fish, metal detecting and panning for gold in South Dakota. He also enjoyed auction and garage sales and meeting his friends for coffee at the Spot Café.

Ray is survived by his wife; three sons, Kevin (Sandi) Robben; Michael (Ruth) Robben; Jason (Shelly) Robben; all of Staples; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one brother, Richard (Stella) Robben; two sisters, Rita (Gary) Stracek; Stella (Dave) Fonteyn; one brother in-law, James (Phillis) Martin, two sisters-in-law, Sandy (Jerry) Vandermay, and Darlo (Wally) Harms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one nephew, Jeff Fonteyn.

A00006B2009MR26