A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Jnauary 17, 2025 for 81-year-old Raymond Joseph Michal, Jr. of Ste Genevieve, Mo. who passed away November 24, 2025. He was born May 17, 1944 in Cadott, Wisc. to Raymond Joseph Michal, Sr. and Lois (Miller) Michal who both preceded him in death.
Ray was married to Rita (West) Michal for 57 years until Rita’s passing in 2023.
Ray is survived by his daughters: Holly (David) Merz of St. Louis, and Sarah (Robert) Hodo of Villa Ridge, MO and a son Dean (Mary) Michal of Gurnee, IL; four sisters: Carol (Gene) Crapser, Mary (Belated Terry) Gingras and Peg (Buck) Paulsen; grandchildren: Brendan (Logan) Merz, Tanner (Sara) Merz and Logan (Padraig O’Brien) Merz, Riley (Collin Shaffer) Michal and Grace (Jackson) McClure, Collin and Nathan Hodo; four great-grandchildren; beloved brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend.
He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law: Clara Blanche (Pake) and Carl West.
Ray graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with an Accounting Degree. He worked for ITT Financial for 30+ years retiring as the Vice President of Treasury in the mid-90s.
Ray was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Green Bay Packers. Ray spent many years as a football coach with Bonhomme football; wrestling coach, announcer and board member with Bonhomme Wrestling and Parkway South High School, softball coach and volunteering at many golf tournaments at the Ste. Genevieve Golf Course.
He was an originating member of the St. Louis Local Organizing Committee for the Division I NCAA Wrestling Tournament and a member of the SEMO Seniors Golf Association and the Ste. Genevieve Elks Lodge No. 2674.
Ray also loved the outdoors, with fishing, camping, and float trips on the Current River.
A Celebration of Life for 81-year-old Raymond Joseph Michal, Jr. of Ste Genevieve will be held at Andre’s South Banquet Center, 4254 Telegraph Rd, St. Louis, MO at 11 a.m. January 17, 2026.
Memorials may be made to The Backstoppers, Inc., http://www.backstoppers.org/
Online condolences can be left at http://www.baslerfuneralhome.com.