Full Obituary

     RAYMOND C. "RAY" LEWAN, age 88, of Lublin, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Oakbrook Health & Rehab in Thorp, WI.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp.  Rev. Hermann Klarr will officiate and burial will follow at Holy Assumption Orthodox Cemetery in Lublin.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jared Lewan, Derek Lewan, Brandon Lewan, Aaron Pogodzinski, Austin Pogodzinski, and Bailey Turenne.  Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 4pm to 8pm, and again on Friday from 9am until time of service.
     Raymond Clemence Lewan was born on November 19, 1935 in the Township of Roosevelt to the late Stanley and Frances (Szemraj) Lewan.  He was raised in Lublin, WI on the family farm and attended area schools, graduating from Gilman High School in 1954.  Growing up, Ray played a lot of baseball which made him a very successful baseball pitcher. He continued his baseball career by signing a contract to pitch in the minor division of the New York Giants after graduation.  In 1955, he attended his first baseball training camp in Melbourne, Florida.  Ray’s impressive pitching skills elevated him from Class D to Class B which landed him in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  He later signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.  He also had offers from the Dodgers among other teams.  Due to an arm injury and missing his family, Ray returned home to Lublin, WI.  On June 21, 1958, he was united in marriage to Pauline Sweda at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin.  He enlisted into the U.S. Army, and two weeks after their marriage, he served his country until his honorable discharge on July 8, 1960.  Ray returned to Lublin and hauled milk for Bellinger Dairy and then went to work for Midland Co-op in Thorp, where he was employed for 35 years.  In addition, he also sold Klearwater water softeners from 1969 until 2022, and mowed lawns for several businesses and schools in the area.
     Ray was a member of the Lublin American Legion Post #547, and past president of Roosevelt Rod & Gun Club for many years.
     He had many interests, but especially enjoyed baseball, fishing, hunting, polka dancing, and watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Green Bay Packers.
     Ray is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Thorp; four children: Randy (Pam) Lewan and Tim (Deb) Lewan, Michele (Eugene) Pogodzinski, all of Thorp, and Lisa (Jim) Turenne of Merrill; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, other relatives and numerous friends.
     He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Elmer “Butch” and Sylvester "Silver" Lewan.
     Ray's family would like to thank the staff at Traditions Assisted Living, Oakbrook Health & Rehab, and Lily Hospice for their compassionate care given to Ray.
     Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com
     Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.