Ray Wellington Luyster

Ray W. Luyster, of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday morning, December 23, 2003 at Baltic Country Manor. He was 82.Mr. Luyster was born July 20, 1921 in Belmont county, Ohio to the late Edwin T. and Dora E. Murphy Luyster. During World War II he served honorably with the U. S. Army from 1942 to 1946. On December 29, 1946 he married the former Ellen L. Williams. The couple would have celebrated 57 years of marriage on Monday.Along with his wife, Mr. Luyster was a member of the Church of Christ in New Philadelphia. By profession, Mr. Luyster was an equipment operator for the Gradall Company for nearly 20 years before retiring. He enjoyed camping and fishing and was an accomplished wood worker.Family members include his wife, Ellen; daughters Joyce (Josiah) Gray of New Philadelphia and Cindy (Mike) Forstrom of Mason, OH; son, Chris (Connie) Luyster of New Philadelphia; brothers, Paul (Esther) Luyster of Barnesville and Gail (Doris) Luyster of St. Clairsville; grandchildren, Josiah (Sue) Gray, Jr. and Jason Gray; Amanda (Doug) Specht and Nicole (Jason) Beck; and Elizabeth Luyster; great-grandchildren, Josiah Gray, III, Cody and Haley Gray; Austin and Victoria Specht. A sister, Ada VanFossen and two infant brothers preceded Mr. Luyster in death.Visitation will be Friday, December 26, 2003 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home with Mr. Timothy Hatfield of the Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park.