ELKHART — Rayburn L. "Ray" Poff, 76, of Elkhart, passed away Monday morning, Nov. 6, 2017, at Elkhart General Hospital after an extended illness.

Ray was born April 25, 1941, in Manchester, Tennessee, to the late Raymond and Stella (Lowery) Poff.

The family moved to the Elkhart area when Ray was 12. He went on to graduate from Elkhart High School in 1960.

He married Brenda Vance on Oct. 20, 1962, in Millersburg.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Brenda; sons Matthew (Sylvia) Poff and Jared (Becky) Poff; his grandson, Dustin Darby; and sisters Margaret (Allen) Shaffer and Joann Sherrell.

Ray retired in 2001 from Miles Laboratories (Bayer) Corp. after 38 years of service.

He was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Elkhart North Congregation.

Ray loved music, especially old country.

He played the drums and liked classic muscle cars, he enjoyed driving his 1960s Camaro in the Bristol fruit hills, and it reminded him of the hills of Tennessee.

Ray collected Dulcimers and enjoyed the beauty and craftsmanship of this beautiful instrument.

A visitation with Ray's family will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, with the celebration of life service following at 5 p.m.

Burial and graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, in Prairie Street Cemetery.

Memorials are kindly requested to Jehovah Witnesses Elkhart North Kingdom Hall, 1921 Jeanwood Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514.

To send a condolence to Ray's family, visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.