Raymond J. Karbowiak, 83, of 606 Camden Drive, Saint Marys, Ohio, died Monday, May 3, 2010, in the emergency department of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in Saint Marys, following a period of declining health.

He was born December 11, 1926, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of John and Pearl (Dobrzykowski) Karbowiak.

He married Evelyn Fleck on June 10, 1947; she preceded him in death on June 4, 2004.

He is survived by his six children: Charlotte (Lester) Helmlinger of Wapakoneta; Raymond (Deb) Karbowiak, Jr. of Lima; Ann (Dean) Brotherwood of Saint Marys; Mark Karbowiak of Wapakoneta; Chuck Karbowiak of Cridersville; Carol (Mark) Gilbert of Celina; by his twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and by one great-grandchild.

Ray was a 1944 graduate of DeVillbiss High School in Toledo; a 1950 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1953 graduate of the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served as a pharmacist mate on a hospital ship during WWII.

Ray will be remembered as the long time owner of Ideal Drug Store in downtown Saint Marys, which he purchased in 1961. It was a classic drug store with a soda fountain, and his entire family worked in the family business while growing up. Ray closed the store in 1982 and then worked as a staff pharmacist at Rite Aid Pharmacy until his retirement in 1998.

He loved Grand Lake Saint Marys; fishing, boating, golfing, walking his dog and being outdoors. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys and the Knights of Columbus Council 1592; Eagles Lodge 767.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 7, 2010, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys, the Reverend Anthony Cutcher, celebrant. Burial, with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 323 and VFW Post 9289, will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Thursday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, where memorial donations may be directed to Holy Rosary Catholic Church.