Raymond E. Webster Jr.

Raymond E. Webster, Jr., 88, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away at 6:50pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Viva Memory Care, surrounded by the love and support of his family.

Born on July 28, 1938, in South Bend, Indiana, Ray was the son of Raymond E. Webster, Sr. and Leota Marie (Horn) Webster. He married the love of his life, Kathleen J. (Williams) Webster, on December 22, 1963, in Greensburg, Indiana. Together they built a marriage filled with love, faith, and devotion to one another and to their family.

Ray was a man of deep faith, a devoted servant of God, and above all, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. While he worked tirelessly throughout his distinguished career, his family was always his greatest joy and highest priority. He was known for his kind heart, gentle spirit, unwavering integrity, and the wisdom he generously shared with those around him. His children and grandchildren will forever remember his steady guidance, encouragement, and unconditional love.

An accomplished educator and coach, Ray taught at William Jewel College in Liberty, MO, and Hanover College and Franklin College, both in Indiana, inspiring countless students both in the classroom and through athletics. His passion for education led him to earn a master’s degree from Indiana State University in 1963 and a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1976. Throughout his career, Ray received numerous honors, including being named Hanover College's Professor of the Year in 1983. He worked alongside several National Coaches of the Year across three different sports and coached multiple Collegiate All-Americans in two sports. His dedication to mentoring young people left a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes.  Ray was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and attended Grace United Methodist Church, where he lived out his faith through service and compassion for others.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Kathleen Webster; his daughter, Judith Webster of Mishawaka; his son, Raymond E. Webster III (Kristine) of Fort Wayne; five cherished grandchildren, Suzanne Abu-she (Hopper), Danny Abu-shehab, Sam (Lili) Abu-shehab, Michael Webster and Alex Webster; three treasured great-grandchildren, Raelyn, Wesley, and Santiago; and many extended family members and dear friends who will miss him greatly.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sue Ann Miller.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ray's life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Palmer Funeral Home - River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Ray's ashes will be interred at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vineyard Church, Luminary Hospice. Franklin College or to a charity that supports education or youth athletics, causes that reflected Ray's lifelong commitment to helping others grow and succeed.

Raymond E. Webster, Jr. will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, an exceptional educator, a respected coach, and, most importantly, a loving family man whose legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Condolences may be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.