Raymond H. "Ray" Selders, 83, of Griswold, IA, died Sunday afternoon, July 12, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, IA.

Raymond was born at Akron, Colorado on October 1, 1925, the son of George Samuel and Ruth Viola (Lipp) Selders. He moved to Griswold in 1926. He attended rural schools and helped his dad on the farm. On December17, 1943 he was inducted in to the Army. He served during World War II, and on December 25, 1944 he went into combat in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Rifle Expert Shooter Badge, and the European Africa Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with two battle stars. Raymond was honorably discharged on May 20, 1946. On June 11, 1955 he was united in marriage to Wilma Jean Merritt at the Church of Christ in Council Bluffs, IA. He worked for Fullerton Lumber and then Booth and Olson Construction Company. In 1958, he started working for Griswold Nitrogas where he became the manager in 1964. He remained the manager until his retirement in 1990.

Raymond liked to dance, was an avid reader of World War II books, and enjoyed going to the casino. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and his dogs.

Raymond was a member of the Central Church of Christ in Griswold, Legion Post #508 where he had served as commander from 1967-1968, and was the Grand Marshall of the Griswold Soldiers Reunion Parade in 1992.

Raymond is survived by his wife Wilma of Griswold, his daughter Julie Brandt and husband Rob of Griswold; his daughter-in-law Sarah of Anita, IA; his five grandsons: Damion Selders of Carson, IA, Daniel, Nathaniel, and Alekzander Selders, all of Anita, IA, and Robby Brandt of Griswold, IA; his brother Ralph Selders and wife Joan of Elliott, IA; three sisters: Mildred Miller of Rifle, CO, Helen Rothe of Council Bluffs, IA, and Dorothy Gigliotti of Council Bluffs, IA; and his honorary grandchildren: Daniella, Fernando, Alex and Alina Martinez of Carson, IA. He is also survived by many other cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his son James on January 12, 2006, his parents, and five bothers: infant twins Floyd and Lloyd, Theodore, George, and Paul.

Funeral services for Ray will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold at 2:00 PM. Rev. Mike Fabian officiating. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. The family will meet friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 at the funeral Home. Burial of cremains will be held at a later date with military honors by Griswold American Legion Post #508.