Edward Ray Rigsby

Edward Ray Rigsby, 86, of Elkhart, Indiana, died June 21, 2017. After a full and diverse life, Ray passed peacefully into eternal slumber while at home with loved ones. Born in Morehead, Kentucky, as one of 13 children born to Henry and Clella (Peyton) Rigsby, Ray was a US Army veteran and life-long entrepreneur, engineer and designer; he started with Chicago Telephone Supply (CTS) in 1974 and retired after 21 years of service and holding numerous patents and trade secrets. Ray came to Indiana at the age of nine with his parents and siblings and went on to join the US Army, serving during the Korean War. He married Margaret Mascola in 1951.

He is survived by Margaret (Mascola) Rigsby; son, Rocky Rigsby of Goshen; grandsons, Rocco Rigsby of Wakarusa and Anthony Kirchner of Paoli; granddaughters Ryann (Rigsby) Weatherford of Indianapolis and Reana (Rigsby) Bujalski of Elkhart; five great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews. Ray is also survived by six sisters: Martha Longardner of Churubusco, Silva Martin of LaGrange, Barbara Smith and Birdeen Sweet both of Wolcottville, Janet Miller of Leo, Mae Belvin of Corunna; and three brothers: Harold Rigsby of Fayetteville, Tenn., Ted Rigsby of Climax, Mo., and Kenny Rigsby of Avilla. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Henry Victor Rigsby and Michael Rigsby, sisters Elizabeth Josephine Johnson and great-grandson Jacob Bujalski.

A viewing will be at Hartzler Gutermuth Inman Funeral Home (403 W Franklin Street, Elkhart) Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial which will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Catholic Church. Ray will be interned at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Osceola.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Elkhart County 4-H Shooting Sports Club.

 Service Information