Raymond Vick

Watertown - Raymond G. Vick, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on January 6, 2017 while at the Watertown Regional Medical Center in Watertown. Ray was born on November 6, 1952 in Waukesha, the son of Raymond and Ruth (Klussendorf) Vick. Ray married his wife, Janet F. Kruschke on August 17, 1974 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Ray became a licensed funeral director in 1977. He enjoyed being a funeral director as he felt it was a great honor to serve families through those difficult times. Ray's greatest joy was spending time with his family, going on vacation, having his weekly breakfast with his granddaughter and was extremely excited for the arrival of his next grandchild. Ray was fond of shooting trap and even got an award for the high team average (which meant the team had really bad scores,) loved steam engines and was very involved in Watertown community groups. Ray bought the Schmutzler Funeral Home on 4th street in 1986 and then the Hart Funeral Home in Marshall in 1991. Ray then built the new funeral home on Welsh road in Watertown in 1999 by the Watertown Farm and Fleet. Ray was one of the first funeral directors to be become a certified eye enucleator in Wisconsin. He was an active member in church and church committees, Watertown Junior Jaycee's, Elks, BNI, Funeral Service Alliance board member, Oak Hill Cemetery board member, Watertown Humane Society board member, Conservation Club member, and a Chamber of Commerce member receiving the Business of the Year award in 1999. Ray was also highly involved in Watertown Lions, serving as two time past president, Melvin Jones award recipient in 2010, Eye Bank services award in 1997, Distinguished service award in 2000 and a Birch Sturm award recipient. Ray is survived by his wife, Janet of Watertown; three children, Justin (Rebecca) Vick of Watertown, Jennifer (Chad) Petersen of Sullivan and Jordan Vick of Watertown; one granddaughter, Brenna Vick of Watertown; two siblings, Alysen Tieman of Big Bend, WI and John (Karen) Vick of North Prairie; one brother-in-law, Paul (Kaye) Kruschke of West Allis and several other nieces, nephews and other relatives. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sandra Vick in 2016; one nephew, Troy Wilkening and one niece, Tracey Skibbe. Memorials can be directed to the family in Ray's memory and all memorials will be directed to groups in the Watertown community. Funeral services will be held at the River Valley Alliance Church, 610 Welsh Road, Watertown on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home, 500 Welsh Road, Watertown on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and also at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Private family burial will take place later at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown.

Service

Saturday, January 7, 2017 11:00 AM
River Valley Alliance Church
610 Welsh Road Watertown 53094, United States

Visitation

Friday, January 13, 2017 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation Service
500 Welsh Road Watertown 53098, United States

Visitation

Saturday, January 14, 2017 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
River Valley Alliance Church
610 Welsh Road Watertown 53094, United States