Rev. Ray George Gottschling died in faith at the CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance on June 16, 2026 from complications of colorectal cancer. Ray was born in 1941 to George and Bertha Gottschling in Salem, Ohio, where he spent his childhood. After graduating from Capital University in 1963, he attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary. In 1966, during his senior year at Trinity, he married Judith Holt, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Together they had two children: David Huffman-Gottschling (Kristen) of Chicago, Illinois, and Beth Huber (George) of Washington, DC. He was ordained in 1967 at Emmanuel Lutheran in Salem. After serving his first parish St. John Lutheran in Groton Township, in 1973 Ray was sent as a Mission developer to establish a new church in the Anthony Wayne area. With six acres of land, but no building, Ray nurtured a nascent congregation that would grow to become Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse. After serving the congregation of Community of Christ for 25 years, Ray accepted a call to be Assistant to the Bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, moving to Defiance, Ohio in 1999. He retired in 2007 but remained active in ministry regularly serving as a supply and interim pastor, including at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Toledo. He and Judy returned to the Anthony Wayne area and were faithful members of Zoar Lutheran in Perrysburg.

One of Ray’s greatest joys was spending time with his children and grandchildren, Grace Huffman-Gottschling and Simon Huffman-Gottschling of Chicago and Henry Huber of Washington DC, especially on family vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He also delighted in regular text study with pastor friends, yearly trips to Stratford, Ontario with Judy for theater, and exploring his Transylvania Saxon heritage. He loved cycling, ballgames, and a good Manhattan. On Valentine’s Day in 2026, Ray married Leona Bailey, longtime friend from Defiance. They provided wonderful support to one another while caring for and losing their respective spouses to Alzheimer’s. Although their marriage was short-lived, their deep love could be seen in the way they treasured each other. Ray was known for his deep humility, commitment to the disenfranchised, sharp intellect, and great sense of humor. Throughout his life and ministry he not only

preached the radical message of God’s grace; he lived it through his extensive service as a church and community leader, synod advisor, mentor to countless colleagues, and his deep love for friends and family. His family expresses profound gratitude for his lifetime of service that touched the lives of so many.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, George Gottschling; his mother, Bertha Mae Gottschling; and wife, Judith Gottschling. He is survived by his children and their families; wife, Leona Bailey, Defiance, Ohio and her daughters Rebecca Gee (Bradley), Pickerington, Ohio and Deborah Rogers (Scott), Defiance, Ohio; sister Gail Morgan (Brock), Orient, Ohio; sister-in-law, Cathy Sadler, Flat Rock, North Carolina; niece Kerrie McBride (Matt) Pasadena, Maryland; nephews Johnathan Morgan (Valerie) Berwyn Heights, Maryland; Andy Sadler (Maggie) Atlanta, Georgia; and a number of cousins.

A funeral service will take place at Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27. The family will receive friends and family before the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Memorials in Ray's honor may be given to Global Refuge or the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank.