Raymond Leo Drees,

Age 85, of S. Main Street, Fort Loramie, passed away of peacefully of natural causes Wednesday evening, January 8, 2025, at the Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Community in St. Marys, Ohio.  He was born November 19, 1939, in Fort Loramie, Ohio, to the late John & Hildreth (Daniels) Drees.  On November 26, 1960, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Ray married Carolyn (Boyce) Drees who survives.  Also surviving are seven children: Kathleen & Robert Albers, Karen & Edward Benanzer, John & Tracy Drees, Anthony & Elaine Drees, Amy & John Guillozet, Barbara & Rob Robbins and Stacy & Jeff Brandewie all of Fort Loramie; 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon Drees of Fort Loramie as well as sisters & brothers-in-law, Joyce Boyce of Indianapolis, IN, Mary & Thomas Schauer of Covington, LA, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by four brothers: Frederick & Eileen Drees, Norma & Thomas Gaier, William & Lois Drees, Louis & Janice Drees as well as a sister-in-law, Ruth Drees and a brother-in-law, Paul Boyce.

Mr. Drees was a 1957 graduate of Fort Loramie High School and a life-long member of St. Michael Catholic Church.  He also belonged to the Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles.  Ray was retired from the C & G Distributing Co. in Versailles where he had been a truck driver.  Years ago, Ray and Carolyn owned and operated Al’s Place and Drees’s Carryout, just across the road from their house.  In his leisure, Ray enjoyed working outside; keeping their homestead looking nice.  He was also an avid NASCAR and Browns fan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at St. Michael Church with Rev. John Tonkin presiding.  Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.  Family and friends may call Monday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Tuesday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.  Memorials may be made to Grand Lake Hospice or charities of choice.  Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.