Raymond C. McKenzie, 84, of Valparaiso passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. He was born July 6, 1940, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada to Guy & Matilda (Chiasson) McKenzie. Ray served proudly with the U.S. Air Force and was a member of American Legion Post #502. He made his career as an electrician with U.S. Steel Garyworks where he retired in 1998. Ray & Mary Anne had been members of St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso prior to their move to Florida where he was able to enjoy his passion for golf and fishing every month of the year.
On June 1, 1996 he married Mary Anne Keller who survives along with his daughter, Kathy McKenzie (George Peters) of Chesterton, step-children; Daryle Keller (Susan) of Kouts, Brian Keller (Judy) of Valparaiso, Kaye Workman of Valparaiso, grandchildren: Juliette, Annmarie, Stephen, Sean, Katharine, Dylan, and great grandchildren: Addison, Clark, Kennedy, Lienna, Ethan & Phoenix. He was preceded in death by his parents and 9 siblings.
A visitation will be held Saturday, October 19th from 9 – 10 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1955 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso with funeral mass beginning at 10:00 am, Fr. Doug Mayer officiating and burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery Valparaiso. Memorial donations may be made to the John E. Keller Scholarship Fund c/o Porter County Extension Office or the VNA Hospice of NWI.
GUESTBOOK
Sending my deepest sympathies to Mary Ann and family. I have the fondest memories of my neighbor Ray when they still lived in Indiana. Godspeed, dear friend, -Debbie Rudovich
I first met Ray at a golf outing at Sebring golf course. It was ironic that our association had an annual picnic a few days later. Well Ray greeted me if we had been friends forever, and day after we were. I will never forget the times he and Mary Anne would come over to our house after there golf couples league that they ran. It was Saturday night live comedy show. Ray and I were best buds,we did a lot things with our wives and had a lot of good times. There is a saying that sometimes people walk into your lives and leave footprints on your heart, Ray was one of them, I will miss him dearly. I know he is up in heaven making a tee time for us one day, -Ken Kirby
