Ray Harsch, age 75, a resident of Bloomingdale, died Friday, June 2, at Glen Oaks Hospital in Glendale Heights. He was born June 18, 1930 in Carbon, Alberta, Canada.

Ray was a minister of the gospel who served on an Alberta Indian reservation, and then three churches in the North American Baptist Conference. He later served as the NAB Director of Evangelism. Before retiring in 1997, he worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as Associate Director of Development. He was an active member at Village Green Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn for many years.

He loved camping, fishing, hockey, southern Gospel quartet music, and being with his grandchildren. He loved his Lord Jesus, his wife, and his children/grandchildren more than anything else.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernice; three children, Cherie (Phil) Koch of Wheaton, Doug (Barbara) of Chicago, Glenn (Melanie) of Wake Forest, NC; five grandchildren, Joel and Alison Koch, Aaron (fiance Jessica) and Andrew, and Nena; his four brothers and their families.

He was preceded in death by his son, Murray.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 7, from 9:00 A.M. until the time of a memorial celebration at 11:00 A.M. at Village Green Baptist Church, 200 S. Lambert Road, in Glen Ellyn. Interment is private.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Village Green Baptist Church Building Fund, 200 S. Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137; or to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.