Josephine N. (Rayl) Willeke, 86, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at 6:31 am at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.
She was born on Sept. 28, 1926 in Ada, to Charles I. and Kathryn C. (Businger) Rayl and they preceded her in death. On March 30, 1946, she married Robert E. Willeke and he died on Dec. 17, 2001.
She taught school at Arlington for 13 years and was an elementary principal for 12 years also at Arlington. She was a 1944 graduate of Ada High School, a 1965 graduate of Ohio Northern University, Ada, and a 1974 graduate of Bowling Green University.
She was a life member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Gold Star Mothers and the Blue Star Mothers. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Dola, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Women's Group for years.
Surviving are a grandson, Michael Robert (Jodi) Willeke of Ada; great granddaughter: Taylor Lynn Willeke; great grandson, Michael Blake Willeke; step granddaughter, Leigh Ann Collins; three step great grandchildren: Tracy, Miranda and Kaitlyn VanAtta; daughter-in-law, Diane (Steve) Simon of Ada; six brothers: Wallace (Jean) Rayl of Cheyenne, WY., Waldo Rayl of Ada, Gerald (Dorothy) Rayl of Ada, Jerry (Alta) Rayl of Ada, David (Miriam) Rayl of Cherokee Village, AR. and Charles E. (Janice) Rayl of Lima; a sister, Shirley Wetzler of Ada.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Robert Willeke on July 22, 1968; a brother, Daniel J. Rayl.
Funeral Services will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada, with Pastor Charles M. Horn officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada.
Friends may call 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church and/or Charity of the Donor's Choice.
