Ray O. Faehling

Ray O. Faehling, age 85 of the Town of Fairbanks, Shawano County, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Care Partners Assisted Living in Clintonville.

Ray Otto Faehling was born on February 7, 1941 in Big Falls as the son of the late Harry and Lillie (Schmitter) Faehling. He graduated with the Tigerton High School Class of 1959. Ray proudly served his country in the United States Army from November of 1962 until his discharge in November of 1964. He was even lucky to be able to later in life go on an Honor Flight. Ray was united in marriage to Nancy Knudsen on May 20, 1967 at Peace Lutheran Church in Split Rock where the couple were still members. They had two sons Harry and Ronnie and four grandchildren, Allison, Karlie, Andrew and Jarren, all of whom he loved spending time with. Ray was a dedicated deputy for the Shawano County Sheriff’s office for over 23 years. If you knew Ray, you know he loved to share stories from his time as “the fuzz” or “county bounty.”  After his retirement he did custodial work for the Town of Fairbanks and also represented The Town of Fairbanks on the Shawano County Board. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post #239 in Tigerton, he was always the most excited about the pancake breakfast. As a member of Peace Lutheran he spent many years playing dart ball and serving on the church council. Ray always kept himself busy, hunting, fishing, gardening, making sure the birds were fed, (but not the squirrels or turkeys, he spent many years trying to keep them off of his bird feeder). He also loved to keep the house nice and toasty with the wood stove always making sure to fire up and that there was adequate firewood on hand. Ray was known to have a way with words and would strike up conversation with anyone. 

Ray is survived by:

Sons: Harry (Angela Brown) Faehling, Ronnie (Carrie) Faehling.

Grandchildren: Allison (Barry Tauscher) Faehling, Karlie Faehling, Andrew Faehling and Jarren Faehling.

Mother of Allison and Andrew: Ann Faehling-Karschney.

Brother-in-law and Sisters-in-Law: Hope and Sonny Heger, Yvonne Rudolph, and Beverly Knudsen.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Lillie Faehling, his wife Nancy in March of this year, a brother Kenneth Faehling, brothers-in-law John and Tom Knudesen, Neil Rudolph and sister-in-law Jean Hanson.

The family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation for Kristy Crum RN with Thedacare Hospice and the ladies at Care Partners for the above and beyond love and care. 

A joint memorial service for both Ray and his wife Nancy will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11am at Peace Lutheran Church in Split Rock with Rev. Ryan Halmstad officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, May 29, 2026 from 9 am until the time of service. Inurnment for the couple will take place at the parish cemetery immediately following the service. Military honors for Ray will be conducted at the cemetery by members of the Tigerton American Legion Post #239. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Tigerton is assisting the family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com