Raymond “John” Bostwick, 92
Raymond “John” Bostwick, of Lily, died Saturday, May 25, 2019, at his home under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was 92 years old. He was born on June 5, 1926, in Antigo, a son of Arthur and Adeline (Kanzelberger) Bostwick. He married Grace Stuempges on February 2, 1948, in Crandon. She survives.
He attended St. John Parochial School through all eight grades then attended Antigo High School through his junior year.
Ray enlisted in the United States Navy on August 23, 1943. His service was on a minesweeper in the South Pacific and he was honorably discharged on April 3, 1946. After service in the Navy, Ray had a milk route for Kraft of Antigo. He also owned one of the first power saws in Langlade County sawing logs for the Jesdahl Lumber Company of Deerbrook in 1948.
Ray enlisted in the United States Army in April 1948 and attained the rank of Master Sergeant during the Korean War. One of his most satisfying tours of duty was as an escort returning deceased WWII soldiers back to their families. He had a direct appointment to Second Lieutenant on May 4, 1952.
After his service with the United States Army, Ray farmed and operated Bostwick Logging. But duty called again and he enlisted in the Navy SeeBees in 1966. After one tour of duty in Vietnam he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1968. After his third discharge from military service, he farmed and worked in the woods.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Raymond belonged to St. Mary Catholic Church in Pickerel. He served as a trustee and led the rosary for 18 years on Sunday mornings before Mass and on Thursday’s after Mass. He also started an aluminum can drive to raise money for Human Concerns.
Survivors including his wife of 71 years, Grace; five daughters, Patricia Bostwick of Lily, Susan Tews of Antigo, Janice Lepak of St. Germaine, Linda (Terry) Malcore of Coleman, Nancy (Raymond) Hitsman of Plymouth; seven sons, William Bostwick and Jennifer Carlson of Lily, Norman Bostwick of Lily, Joseph Bostwick and Bernice Smith of Lily, Arnold (Elly) Bostwick of Post Lake, Ernest (Jean) Bostwick of Lily, Paul Bostwick of Kaukauna, Peter (Wanda) Bostwick of Seymour; a sister, Dorothy Parilek of Antigo; 34 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four sons, Arthur, Steven, Jake and Thomas Bostwick; a daughter, Gail Rindahl; two sisters, Patricia (Roger) Kreger, Marie (Henry) Petersen; three brothers Thomas (Inez), Peter and Jerry Bostwick; three sons-in-law, John Tews, Marty Rindahl, and Carl Malcore; a brother-in-law, Richard Parilek.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Pickerel with Rev. Dave Zimmerman and Rev. Jerome Taddy concelebrating. Burial will take place in Lily Cemetery where the White Lake Veterans will conduct military honors.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Human Concerns of St. Mary Cathoic Church, PO Box 77, Pickerel, WI 54465.