RAPHAEL "RAY" SUPANICH

October 24, 1934 - February 11, 2013

RAPHAEL A. "RAY" SUPANICH, 78, of L'Anse, passed away at his residence Tuesday evening January 29, 2013 following a period of ill health. He was born in L'Anse on October 24, 1934 the son of the late Frank and Helen (Morin) Supanich, Sr. Ray served in the US Army. On April 28, 1957 he married the former Elizabeth "Betty" Newland in L'Anse. She preceded him in death on November 3, 1994. Ray graduated from L'Anse High School in 1977. He had been employed as a millwright for various construction companies until his retirement. Ray was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, L'Anse, the Covington Amvets, the L'Anse Eagles Club, and the L'Anse cribbage and pinochle leagues. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, metal detecting, copper hunting, and making homemade wine. Ray is survived by his children Timothy (Suann) Supanich, Peggy "Sue" Supanich of L'Anse, and Cindy Pirkola of Herman, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, brothers, Frank (Marcy) Supanich and Nick (Dee) Supanich both of L'Anse, Bob Supanich of Illinois, and Tony (Terry) Supanich of WI, sisters Marian Kreutzer of Illinois and Anne (James) Sullivan of Illinois. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, brothers Martin, and Paul, sisters Rosemary, Alice, and Ruth, and granddaughter–in-law Shanda LaFernier. Funeral services for Ray began at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse. The family greeted friends at the funeral chapel on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Baraga county area veterans, under the direction of the Baraga American Legion Post #444 conducted military honors at the funeral chapel on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Following the services, the family invited friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon at the L'Anse Eagles Club.