♥MY BELOVED & HANDSOME UNCLE and GODFATHER♥
♥He was Extra Special to Me♥



Raymond Walter Koper was born at home on March 4, 1923 in Huron Township, Michigan to John Koper & Katherine Dolecki Koper.
Ray was one of the children delivered by his own father, John, a Polish immigrant.
Ray passed away at 1:10 AM on December 2, 2008 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising, Michigan. He was the last living son of John and Katherine Koper.

Grandson of Polish immigrants, Pawel Dolecki & Anna Kalinowski Dolecki.

Great grandson of Jan & MaryAnna Dolecki.


Ray married Elvera Emeline Peters on February 13, 1943 in the Church of St. Dominic in Detroit, Michigan.
Uncle Ray and Aunt Elvera had met at a dance hall in Munising, when Uncle Ray was in CCC Camp Cusino in 1941.
When I asked them about how they met their response was, "We think it was love at first sight."♥ They also never had a fight during their 65 years of marriage.

Uncle Ray was a WWII Army Veteran. He was a Corporal in the Army Air Core. Among the medals he was awarded: the WWII VICTORY MEDAL, the EAME THEATER RIBBON with 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, the AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, and GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.

Uncle Ray and Aunt Elvera never had children, just lots of nieces, nephews, and Godchildren. I feel fortunate to be a Godchild of Uncle Ray. He & Aunt Elvera always made me feel special. I think they would have been that way even if Uncle Ray wasn't my Godfather.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elvera; siblings, Dorothy (Tony) Zuzga, Margie (the late Joe) Sliwinski, and Catherine (Ed) Cox; sister in laws, Sophie and Sally Koper and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Helen (Joe) Stempien, Lottie (Harry) Nowakowski, Walter (Vera) Koper, Norbert (Virgie) Koper, Gertrude (Joe) Novak, John Koper, Barney (Margie) Koper, and Irvin Koper.

Uncle Ray found out he had cancer of the small bowel and lung the week before Thanksgiving. He was hospitalized & his health declined quickly where he had to go into a nursing home instead of going home. Thankfully, his suffering was not prolonged. He had a good day on Monday but was tired. He peacefullly went to sleep and is now with all his loved ones that have gone before him.

Cremation arrangements by Bowerman Funeral Home, Munising, Michigan.




Uncle Ray's Star