Raymond M. Sala

Goshen-Ray Sala, 85, died early Sunday morning, September 4, 2011, at IU Health Goshen Hospital. He was born February 16, 1926 near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to the late George and Annie (Thomas) Sala. He attended grade school at Thomas Mills and graduated from Davidsville High School, Pennsylvania. Immediately after graduation he was drafted and joined Civilian Public Service in Grottoes, Virginia, where he served in several capacities, including camp nurse. He was then sent to Catonsville State Hospital in Maryland where he was the only attendant on the night shift for 73 mentally ill clients. Books by J.C. Wenger, provided to CPSers, helped shape and deepen his Anabaptist beliefs and he later stated that he was happy to play a small part in the reform of mental health care after World War II. After service, he returned to Johnstown where he married Romaine Stahl on June 15, 1949. She died November 16, 2008. He is survived by a brother, Marlin, and numerous nieces and nephews. In 1954 Ray and Romaine moved to Goshen where he became a traveling field representative for Mennonite Mutual Aid. During this time he took courses at Goshen College and was asked to join the development team at the college where he worked for 11 years. He then worked for Travel Equipment and later became Director of Public Relations and Development at Philhaven Hospital, Penn. His last job was Director of Development at Sarasota Christian School in Florida. The Salas returned to Goshen to retire at Greencroft in 1991. Ray was an active member of College Mennonite Church. A 10:30 a.m. memorial service will be held at College Mennonite Church on Saturday, September 10, 2011 with Pastor Phil Waite of College Mennonite Church officiating. A family scattering service will take place prior to the memorial service in the College Mennonite Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to Greencroft Foundation. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.