Raphael "Ray" Francis Cron, 77, died Feb. 17, 2007, at his Celina residence.

He was born August 19, 1929, in Auglaize County to Anthony and Catherine Quinter Boeckman Cron. His wife of 42 years, Gwendolyn Otis, survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Brian (Diana), Cincinnati, Christopher (Kari), Mendon, and Gregory, Ottawa, Ontario; four brothers, Richard Boeckman, Minster, John, West Jefferson, George, of Parma, and Cletus, Celina; three sisters, Sally Weitzel, Rose Fleck and Erma Klosterman, all of Celina; and five grandchildern.

Deceased are three brothers, Wilbert Boeckman, Joseph Boeckman and Anthony Jr.; and a sister, Rita Moeller.

He taught at Immaculate Conception School, Celina, and later served 11 years as principal. He also taught at Hughes Junior High, Cincinnati, was principal at Marion Local High School and served as supervisor of Mercer County Schools. He was a Mercer County commissioner for two terms and served in the U.S. Army. He attended high school at Brunnerdale Seminary, Canton. He also attended Our Lady of the Snows Seminary in Illinois and Mississippi. He earned a degree as a lay pastoral minister, received a bachelor's degree at the University of Dayton and a master's degree in education at Wright State University. He was a volunteer at Grand Lake Hospice, St. Marys, and a member of Celina Kiwanis.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Immaculate Conception Church, Celina. Burial is at St. Marys Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.

Contributions can be made to Grand Lake Hospice or Immaculate Conception Endowment Fund.