After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Raymond F. Schmaltz passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Honor Health Hospital, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Raymond was born on July 4, 1966 at Batesville, Indiana to the late Russell and Marie Schmaltz of Osgood, Indiana. Raymond graduated from Jac-Cen-Del High School in 1984. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force.
For 20 years, Raymond served the country he loved. He participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Other duty assignments included bases in Arizona, Mississippi, California, North Dakota and Japan. (Go “Maintainers”!) He was awarded numerous commendations throughout his career including Airman of the Month which entitled him to a ride in a F-16 fighter jet.
After retirement from the Air Force, Raymond landed in Maricopa, Arizona buying a property next door to his brother Daren. Raymond embraced life – he was a licensed scuba diver, performed numerous parachute jumps, enjoyed motorcycle riding (dirt and highway), and loved to take friends and family out in the desert in his dune buggy. Raymond was a gun enthusiast and great marksman. He’s solely responsible for getting his sister hooked on air rifles. A movie-buff, Raymond’s collection of titles number in the hundreds. He recently purchased a PPG (powered para glider) and soloed September 24th.
Raymond enjoyed spending time with his sisters and brother and nieces and nephews. He was a great neighbor and friend and always willing to help. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include sister Reyna (Jim) Jackson of Osgood, Indiana; brother Daren (Marie) Schmaltz of Maricopa, Arizona and sister Vanessa (Duane) Hays of Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as 6 nieces and nephews and their families.
Visitation will be at Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood, Indiana on Friday, March 2, 2018 from 4 pm – 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at Osgood First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Tanglewood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Osgood First Baptist Church and/or Tanglewood Cemetery Maintenance Fund in care of the funeral home.
www.nealsfuneralhome.net