Raymond E. “Ray” Shetterly III

A long time ago, on February 15, 1961, in a town far, far away, Raymond E. “Ray” Shetterly III was born on the outer rims of Pittsburgh in a town called North Charleroi, Pennsylvania to Raymond E. and Gayle (Isaho) Shetterly, Jr. He passed away on December 19, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, at the age of 62.

Ray met LaDonna (McNeal) Butler in 1991. They began building a life together over the next twelve years when they decided to bring their families together and were finally married on December 28, 2003. They later divorced. Ray then met Criss Kleinschmidt in 2011 and spent 11 years with her in Norfolk, Neb.

Ray grew up in Monessen, Pa., and graduated from Monessen High School in 1979. He managed to stay self-employed most of his life. In his early years, he owned a sheet metal shop in Pennsylvania. When he came to Kansas in 1991, he kept digging snakeroot (echinacea) for about nine years, then became a flooring installer for 20+ years.

Ray was an avid reader. If he wasn't busy working or doing things with his family, you could always find him perched almost anywhere lost in a book. He loved the Sci-Fi genre the best. Some of his favorite authors were Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, and J. R. R. Tolkien among many others. He also loved anything written by Louis L’ amour. 

Ray was an excellent cook; his specialty was his big ole pot of beef stew. The recipe was never the same twice, but you could always bet it would be the best bowl of soup you ever ate! He got his start with cooking when he was a teenager and took a job at Louie’s Famous Bakery in his hometown of Monessen, Pa. His recipes were always from scratch, and he always said to not be afraid of the seasonings and that the secret to great cooking is in the seasonings.

Ray loved old rock ’n’ roll music best, but he would listen to almost anything. When the mood struck, you could bet he'd pull out his harmonica, or "harp," as he would call it, and jam out for all to enjoy. He preferred to have music playing rather than watch TV.

Fishing was another hobby he was passionate about. There were many weekend trips to the lake to camp and fish with family and friends. Not many could outfish him, but not for lack of trying!

Ray also enjoyed the many, many hours he spent with his best friend Phil Briney playing board game battles from World War II and Korean Wars. On many occasions, Ray would travel from his home in Nebraska to spend several days with Phil, and all they would do was play those games to the point of forgetting to eat sometimes! He was passionate about his family and always worked hard to provide for and protect them. He did his best to instill a good work ethic in his children and taught them to be free thinkers. Life was one big adventure with Ray, and you never knew what kind of chaos would ensue until you got into the thick of each new adventure with him. This certainly made for many great memories that will be shared for years to come.

A bit rough around the edges, Ray had a huge heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was the guy who would give someone the shirt off his back or the last dollar in his wallet without hesitation or explanation necessary. If you needed help, he was there to give it.

Ray is survived by his mother, Gayle Shetterly of Vanderbilt, Pa.; sons, Raymond E. (Breanna) Shetterly IV of Colorado Springs, Colo., Miles Shetterly (Julia Rogers) of Stockton, Alex Shetterly of Stockton, and T.J. Butler (Chelsea St. Clair) of Stockton; siblings, Dawn Shetterly Wolford (Terry Scott) of Monessen, Pa., Shawn (Bobbi Jo) Shetterly of Scottsdale, Pa., and Michelle Shetterly of Vanderbilt, Pa.; five grandchildren: Maggy Butler, Christopher, Carter, Connor Shetterly, and Levi Butler; aunt and uncle, Duncan (Susie) Shetterly of Newton Falls, Ohio; companion, Criss Kleinschmidt of Norfolk, Neb; and ex-wife, LaDonna Shetterly of  Stockton.

Preceding Ray in death are his father, Raymond Shetterly, Jr., and brother, Craig Shetterly.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home to help with funeral costs and may be sent to 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com