Ray E. Mosser

Ray E. Mosser, 96, of Camp Hill, beloved and proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and WWII Veteran, passed away Friday, July 22, 2022, embraced by the love of his family. Born in Lemoyne on November 6, 1925, he was the son of the late John W. and Pearl (Hartman) Mosser. Upon graduating from the former Lemoyne High School in 1943, Ray entered the Army serving in the European Theatre during WWII as a Staff Sergeant with the 258th Engineer Combat Battalion. After the war ended, he remained in Germany with the Army of Occupation where he supervised German prisoners in Berchtesgaden constructing their own jails. Ray was honorably discharged in May 1946, but continued to serve stateside in the Army Reserve until May 1949. Ray married his high school sweetheart, Doris M. (Zimmerman) on November 2, 1946. Doris preceded Ray in death on May 2, 2008 after exactly 66 1/2 years of marriage. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ray completed a 5-year apprenticeship program with J. Horace McFarland Printing Company, Harrisburg. In 1960, Ray relocated to Lanham, Maryland to begin his career with the United States Government Printing Office. After retiring in December 1987, he and Doris returned to Pennsylvania, making Camp Hill their forever home. Ray was a life-long member of Grace United Methodist Church, Lemoyne where he was proud to say that his great -grandparents donated the land for the original wooden church in the early 1900s. A faithful Grace Notes member, Ray sang with the choir until the completion of their 2021-2022 season less than two months before his passing. Ray served as Secretary and then President of the West Shore Lions Club (Lewisberry) in the 1950s and was Zone Chairman for six other clubs. He was instrumental in the formation of the New Cumberland chapter. But most of Ray’s life, beginning in 1954, centered on his commitment to the Masonic brotherhood. A 32° Mason, he was a member of the now Eureka-West Shore Lodge #302; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Harrisburg Forest #43; Harrisburg Scottish Rite and Zembo Shrine. Ray served as Grand Tall Cedar (1992); Pancake Breakfast Chairman/Co-chair for many years; Zembo Circus Chairman (1993, 94); and was appointed Chief Director of the Zembo Directors Unit, serving since 1993. This Unit puts in countless hours providing concessions for the various events held at the Zembo Shrine. Their dedication to this endeavor and to each other is immeasurable. He enjoyed coordinating MDA “lock-ups” and always looked forward every year to counting orders for the popular Tall Cedars peanut butter “Egg Makers". Ray’s devotion was exemplified by his 30+ year membership in the Scottish Rite choir, singing with them until his passing. The love and care from all of these brothers and their families is truly a testament to the fraternity. Ray also maintained a very special and unique relationship with his WWII comrades. Delayed by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, 2022 represented the 73rd annual reunion of the 258th Engineer Combat Battalion Society during which the 75th Anniversary (in 2020) of the Rhine River Assault Crossing (March 24,1945) was commemorated with flags flown over the United States Capitol and a Congressional Commendation. These men and their families held a beloved place in Ray’s heart and in that of his family. Plans exist to continue this legacy of “The Greatest Generation". Faithfulness, devotion, commitment, and loyalty are lessons Ray quietly taught. His lush yard, azaleas, nature’s bounty, and feeding the birds from his seven feeders were his passions. Ray was a skilled woodworker and clock maker. He enjoyed golf and bowling, teaching and passing these pleasures on to his grandson. There wasn’t a sport he didn’t watch and made every effort to attend his great-granddaughters’ soccer games and dance performances. Leaving to cherish and honor Ray’s life and memory are his daughter Melinda (Lin) Rae Stumpf, of Camp Hill, his grandson, Matthew A. Stumpf (Laura), of New Cumberland, and his five great-granddaughters, Lily, Brooke, Cassidy, Marley, and Charlotte. He is also survived by two nieces and their families, several cousins, and a host of friends. Ray was preceded in death by his sister, L. Carol Mosser, his brother, J. Galen Mosser, and his son-in-law, Ronald Stumpf. Interment with Military honors was held with the immediate family at Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill, on July 30, 2022 with Pastor Jason Schwartzman officiating. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Grace United Methodist Church, 309 Herman Avenue, Lemoyne. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 10:30 AM followed by a Masonic Service at 11:30 AM and church service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ray’s honor to the Tall Cedars Foundation (Muscular Dystrophy Association), 4309 Linglestown Rd., Suite 116, Harrisburg, PA 17112 or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, c/o Zembo Shrine, 2801 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Ray E. Mosser

November 6, 1925 - July 22, 2022