Raymond William Michener, retired Lutheran minister

Rev. Raymond “Ray” William Michener, 76, of Millsboro, Delaware, sadly left us Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Ray is survived by his life partner of 23 years, Rev. Thomas Carlson; the mother of his children, Carol Michener; his loving children, Jennifer Edwards and her husband Robert, Laura Apisa and her husband Darren, Michael Michener and his wife Toni Ann, Joshua Michener, Laura Lee Holmbo, and Amy Pyle and her husband Stephen; as well as his 19 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his loyal dog, Gabriel.

Ray was a retired Lutheran minister. After nine years in parish ministry, he entered the Navy as a chaplain, supporting Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel and their families. Ray served diligently for 20 years as lieutenant commander, and his assignments included two tours in Beirut. He earned an MDiv from Gettysburg Seminary, a ThM from Princeton Seminary and a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola College. Before retiring and moving to Delaware in 2013, he served six interim parishes in Metro Washington, D.C. Synod. Since moving to Delaware, Ray has served as associate priest at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, where he shared the message of faith and hope with wit, compassion, and an ability to give parishioners clarity.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 2nd St., Lewes. 

Donations can be made in Ray’s honor to Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Building Fund, 200 2nd St., Lewes, DE 19958, or call (302) 645-8479.

Final care for Ray has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.