Raymond Filipan, 98, of Niles, died at 8:18PM Tuesday September 11, 2012 at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren.

He was born August 31 1914 in Niles the son of Joseph and Theresa Fracul Filipan.

Ray was a 1934 graduate of McDonald High School where he participated and lettered in football, basketball, track, and a member of the swim team and The French Club.

He was employed as a carpenter for 50 years retiring in 1977, a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Niles, the Brotherhood Carpenters Union 171, enjoyed sports, and served stateside in the United States Army 59'th Battalion as a Technical Sergeant during World War II.

His wife Virginia Nafe Filipan whom he married February 15, 1935 died May 14, 1990

His wife Margaret Blatnik Filipan whom he married June 5, 1997 died November 1, 2004.

He will be deeply missed by a son Ronald Filipan and his wife Loretta of Liberty, a daughter Shirley Kundel and her husband Terry of Howland, a sister, Ann Leenheer of Youngstown, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ignatius Filipan and Martin Filipan, and a sister Josephine Pavlich.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 7PM at the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30AM Saturday at St. Rose Catholic Church in Girard, with Fr. John S. Trimbur officiating, preceded by a 9AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery where Ray will be honored for his military service by The Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard.

*The tribute I'm about to read was written by Rhonda Filipan, Ray's loving granddaughter: Raymond Joseph Filipan was born 98 years ago on August 31, 1914. He grew up in McDonald, OH in an area known as the "hilltop." Throughout his life, Ray spoke very fondly about life in the hilltop. In particular, he prided himself on knowing---and being able to list---each family that lived in McDonald's hilltop in the 1920's and the names of their children. This is just one example of Ray's excellent and impressive memory. In his 90's, he could even recite the names and ages of all the residents in his assisted living facility---and he liked to brag about being the oldest! Ray was a very proud graduate of McDonald High School, class of '34, where he was in the French Club, on the Swim Team, and a member of the varsity football squad for three years. An all-around athlete, he lettered in football, in basketball, and in track. In fact, he was the first boy from McDonald High to compete in state championships for two sports: shot put and javelin. While at the state competition, Ray met---and shook hands with---future Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens. However, being a high school student during the Depression was tough. Money was scarce. Ray liked to recount the story of how the Superintendent of Schools bought Ray a suit for graduation photos----and how Ray paid the Superintendent back in full when he received his first paycheck. That first job was in the Inspection Department at U.S. Steel McDonald Works, a job which he started in June 1934, just two days before his graduation. Later, Ray began his profession as a carpenter---the job by which he defined himself---on April 12, 1942. He worked as a carpenter for decades and was a member of Carpenters Local 171. Carpentry was the craft for which Ray was probably destined after building a sled out of wood for his younger sister, Anne, when they were both children. As a carpenter, Ray did finish work and detail work on countless new construction homes, working with local contractors. In the 1940's, during WWII, Ray spent almost three years at Camp Fannon in Tyler, Texas as a training instructor. Ray had a sense of adventure and in addition to spending time in Texas, he also visited or spent time in Indiana, Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. Ray even took a solo, cross-country train trip to Pomona, California in his late 70's. He was always present, always supportive of his family, whether it was holidays, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, or simply get-togethers. Ray and Virginia hosted Christmas & Easter celebrations with fine nuts and chocolates and always a lavish assortment of food and drinks. Ray was the perfect host. Throughout his life, Ray liked to watch sports on TV, especially football, track & field, and the Olympics. Family and friends will also remember that Ray loved discussing politics---and had strong opinions about issues and candidates. In fact, earlier this week, his daughter-in-law, Loretta, was telling him about the upcoming 2012 election. Ray had this to say about President Obama: "He's running again? I like him." Ray was strong willed and opinionated... ..AND he was gracious, very generous, and understanding. Ray loved and was proud of his son Ron...his daughter Shirley... his grandchildren... and his great grandchildren. And, his family loved him. Very, very much. Raymond Joseph Filipan will always be on their minds and in their hearts. And very deeply missed.