Ray Edward Slusher, 86, of Charlestown, Indiana, passed away on December 30, 2025, at Traditions at Hunter Station Road in Sellersburg, Indiana. He was born on July 12, 1939, in Rella, Kentucky, to the late Millard and Bertha Slusher. He was one of eight children: Pauline, Ray, Doris, twins Alma Sue and Alta, Randall, Dale, and Larry; two half-sisters, Mabel and Sally Mae; and one half-brother, Bradley “BJ” Slusher.
Graduating in 1958 from Bell County High School, Ray entered the U.S. Army for two years, where he proudly served as a Company Clerk and Tank Commander. He was honorably discharged in 1962.
He moved to Louisville, Kentucky, married Barbara Costello (the mother of his children), and worked at Anaconda Aluminum while attending Ahrens Trade School, training in tool-and-die making and becoming a certified machinist. Places he worked in factory maintenance include International Harvester, Naval Ordnance (twice), Anson Machine & Manufacturing Company in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Chrysler Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. While working there, he married Mary Balmer Stemler of Clarksville, Indiana, who preceded him in death.
On Christmas Eve of 1990, Ray married Patricia Aiken Russell of Seymour, Indiana, moving to Georgetown, Indiana, and later to a home on Barren River Lake in Scottsville, Kentucky. He continued his machinist career at Tower Automotive in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Dana Corporation in Glasgow, Kentucky, retiring as a maintenance supervisor from Federal Mogul in Scottsville in 2001. Ray and Patricia built a home in DeLand, Florida, and moved there in July of 2011. In April of 2016, they returned to southern Indiana, living in Charlestown.
Ray was a 60-plus-year member of George Washington #904 Masonic Lodge, which later merged into Shawnee #830 Masonic Lodge in Louisville. He was, at one time, a 32nd Degree York Rite Mason and a member of the Shriners. He was also a Kentucky Colonel. He was baptized on March 5, 2006, at Scottsville Baptist Church in Scottsville, Kentucky, and later transferred his membership to Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand, Florida. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville.
After retirement, Ray became an avid golfer and served as Assistant Tournament Director and a member of the Board of Directors of the Glen Abbey Men’s Golf Association in DeBary, Florida.
Surviving to cherish Ray’s memory are his wife of 35 years, Patricia Slusher; daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Leonard) Adkins; son, Michael Ray Slusher; grandchildren, Brianna Hall, Christopher Slusher, Shelby Mills, and Leonard Adkins Jr.; great-grandchildren,
Madeline and Eric; stepdaughter, Peggy L. (Tony) Culp; stepson, Joey Russell; step- grandchildren, Hillary (Bobby) Ball, Corey Russell, Jeremy Russell, Cassie Russell, and Chance Russell; step-great-grandchildren, Oscar Ball, Caleb Russell, Braden Russell, and Keagan Russell; brothers, Dale Slusher and Randall (Brenda) Slusher; and sisters, Sue (Bruce) Kinnaird and Doris Stobaugh; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ray in death are his parents, Millard and Bertha Slusher; sisters, Alta Sadow and Pauline King; half-sisters, Sally Mae McGinty and Mabel Hutton; brothers, Bradley “BJ” Slusher and Larry Slusher; and stepsons, Morey Russell and Barry Russell.
Services will be held Monday, January 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 419 North Chestnut Street, Seymour, Indiana 47274, with a Masonic service being performed by the Masonic Grand Lodge #4681, Louisville, Kentucky, followed by the funeral service with Dr. Jerry Smart officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with military rites being performed by American Legion Post 89 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925. Visitation will also be held Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.FergusonLee.com.
Arrangements for Mr. Slusher have been entrusted to Scotty Wessel and Jon Pace at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Seymour.
Memories and condolences may be shared, and flowers ordered, at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, 188 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901, or P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.
