Wayne Surch, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 at his home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 31, 2012
at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers, in Stevensville.
Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from
5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger
Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Wayne
may do so on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Wayne was a longtime supporter of Camp Lor-Ray and served as a member of the
Board of Directors of the Lor-Ray Camp Association until his passing. He and his
wife Elaine served a number of years as the Family Camp Manager.
Wayne was born August 30, 1933 in St. Joseph, MI to George & Gertrude
(Reber) Surch. He graduated from St. Joseph High School. He served his Country
in the United States Army. On July 12, 1955 he married Elaine Foondle in
Stevensville. Wayne worked for George Miller & Sons as a heavy equipment
operator for many years. In his spare time he loved fishing, farming, tractors
and being outdoors. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.
Wayne is survived by his wife Elaine Surch of St. Joseph; daughter Denise
(Jeff) Wynegar of Osceola, IN; sons Geoffrey (Jeanne) Surch of St. Joseph; Brian
(Linda) Surch of Muskegon, MI, Joel (Leslie) Surch of Coloma, MI, and Jon
(Pamela) Surch of Crystal Lake, IL; 11 grandchildren Brandy, Danielle, Josh,
Jayme, Sarah, Mike, Jason, Mandy, Sarah, Emily, and Jacob; 7 great grandchildren
Hannah, Gracie, Preston, Chris, Brennon, Riley, and Taj; nephew Craig; and niece
Renee. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sister Priscilla Hartman and
brother George Surch.
We thank and praise God for bringing Wayne to a saving faith in our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, and look forward to a blessed reunion with him when our
Creator calls each of us home. We remember Elaine and the Surch family in our
thoughts and prayers, asking God to grant them comfort and healing in the days
ahead.
Mike Brenner, Secretary
Lor-Ray Camp Association
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Anyone interested in FREE CAMPING?
Hey You Guys!
I know I'm late in getting the word out on this, but I've had my hands full with other projects (just like most of you!). I received the following notice from Tim Hansen, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Camp Lor-Ray last week and haven't taken the time to post it until now.
FREE CAMPING is available during the weekends of May 18-20 and May 25-28 to anyone who comes to Camp Lor-Ray to help tackle some of the projects on our to-do list.
When you arrive at Camp ask for the Camp Manager; tell him you're there to help then pick out your camp site and get set up. There will be numerous opportunities throughout the weekend for you and your family to help out while enjoying God's Great Outdoors at Camp Lor-Ray!
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
I know I'm late in getting the word out on this, but I've had my hands full with other projects (just like most of you!). I received the following notice from Tim Hansen, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Camp Lor-Ray last week and haven't taken the time to post it until now.
FREE CAMPING is available during the weekends of May 18-20 and May 25-28 to anyone who comes to Camp Lor-Ray to help tackle some of the projects on our to-do list.
When you arrive at Camp ask for the Camp Manager; tell him you're there to help then pick out your camp site and get set up. There will be numerous opportunities throughout the weekend for you and your family to help out while enjoying God's Great Outdoors at Camp Lor-Ray!
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Check these projects off the list!!!
Hey You Guys!
It was another great weekend to be out in the woods and, thanks to our volunteers, we were able to knock out a few more of the projects at Camp Lor-Ray.
The biggest project was forming and pouring concrete sidewalks around the existing Family Camp bath house. Recent requests from campers who were having trouble accessing the bath house due to the uneven and hilly terrain moved this project's priority up several places and we are thankful for those who helped make it happen; Ross Rogien, Tim and Lori Hansen, Bobbie Fisher, Frank Anderson and Robbie Schmidt.
We also received a number of requests to pour a small concrete pad at the west end of the dining hall at the intersection of the existing sidewalks. Due to safety implications (and the fact that the concrete truck was going to be there anyway) this project was given a top priority too.
Last month we poured one of the approaches to the new Family Camp bath house. Yesterday the forms for that were stripped off and moved to the south side of the building so we could finish the concrete work there. Ross Rogien remarked at the end of the day "Michael, I am DONE pouring concrete at Camp for this year!!!" Today my back is echoing those sentiments.
Tim and Robbie managed to get the decking installed on one of the porches at Karnitz Hall and they started installing it on the second porch before giving up for the day.
I insisted on mounting a couple of boxes for switches and recepts in the new cabin before leaving just so I can say that the electrical work has at least been started there.
There are so many projects always requiring our attention at Camp Lor-Ray and without the help of volunteers many of them would never get done. We are so grateful for everyone that shows up on work days and throughout the year, giving generously of their time and talents. This is the biggest reason we are able to keep our camping fees (for both Kids' Camp and Family Camp) so low.
If your congregation or organization would like to help out in the future, please let us know. We'll make sure you have the materials, tools and directions needed to knock another project off our to-do list!
It was another great weekend to be out in the woods and, thanks to our volunteers, we were able to knock out a few more of the projects at Camp Lor-Ray.
The biggest project was forming and pouring concrete sidewalks around the existing Family Camp bath house. Recent requests from campers who were having trouble accessing the bath house due to the uneven and hilly terrain moved this project's priority up several places and we are thankful for those who helped make it happen; Ross Rogien, Tim and Lori Hansen, Bobbie Fisher, Frank Anderson and Robbie Schmidt.
We also received a number of requests to pour a small concrete pad at the west end of the dining hall at the intersection of the existing sidewalks. Due to safety implications (and the fact that the concrete truck was going to be there anyway) this project was given a top priority too.
Last month we poured one of the approaches to the new Family Camp bath house. Yesterday the forms for that were stripped off and moved to the south side of the building so we could finish the concrete work there. Ross Rogien remarked at the end of the day "Michael, I am DONE pouring concrete at Camp for this year!!!" Today my back is echoing those sentiments.
Tim and Robbie managed to get the decking installed on one of the porches at Karnitz Hall and they started installing it on the second porch before giving up for the day.
I insisted on mounting a couple of boxes for switches and recepts in the new cabin before leaving just so I can say that the electrical work has at least been started there.
There are so many projects always requiring our attention at Camp Lor-Ray and without the help of volunteers many of them would never get done. We are so grateful for everyone that shows up on work days and throughout the year, giving generously of their time and talents. This is the biggest reason we are able to keep our camping fees (for both Kids' Camp and Family Camp) so low.
If your congregation or organization would like to help out in the future, please let us know. We'll make sure you have the materials, tools and directions needed to knock another project off our to-do list!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A few extra hands would be appreciated...
Hey You Guys!
Looks like Ross, Keith and I will be headed back to Camp this weekend (May 11&12) to get some more concrete poured. We hope to arrive early enough Friday evening to set some forms and then finish the form work early Saturday so we can pour concrete around 10 or 10:30. Once that's done we hope to keep working on the decks in front of the Girl's Cabin.
If ANY of you can be there to lend a hand, we would certainly appreciate it!!!
Looks like Ross, Keith and I will be headed back to Camp this weekend (May 11&12) to get some more concrete poured. We hope to arrive early enough Friday evening to set some forms and then finish the form work early Saturday so we can pour concrete around 10 or 10:30. Once that's done we hope to keep working on the decks in front of the Girl's Cabin.
If ANY of you can be there to lend a hand, we would certainly appreciate it!!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Work Day 2012
Last weekend, a tremendous effort went into making the facilities at Camp the best ever. The board has been talking about doing some of these things for years. Thanks to everyone for your help!
From Mike Brenner: "The facilities at Camp Lor-Ray are there and available to all members of the ELS and WELS because of YOUR efforts!"
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| Ross Rogien installs a section of railing on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin). |
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| Joachim Trelenberg and Tim W. Hansen install decking for the new porch on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin). |
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| Keith Rogien and cousin Mike Brenner screed concrete on the back side of the new cabin. Duane Brown and Robert Rogien stand ready to pitch in when needed. |
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| Duane Brown makes short work of cleaning the gutters on the dining hall on our work day. |
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| Ross Rogien works on the new steps on Karnitz Hall (the Girl's Cabin). |
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| Everything has to be 'just right'. Ross Rogien and Joachim Trelenberg straighten a corner post on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin) before calling it a day. |
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| Framing for the new decks on Karnitz Hall (the Girl's Cabin) is complete; waiting for decking and railings to be installed. |
Jeff Hendrix
Youth Committee Chair,
Lor-Ray Camp Association
Saturday, April 7, 2012
WORK DAY - APRIL 21ST AT CAMP...
Hey Campers! Looks like Spring is here and that means the 2012 camping season is just around the corner. Before we start camping we have a little spring cleaning to do and that means it's time to schedule a Work Day out at Camp.
Here's the plan; everyone that shows up around 9 AM on Saturday, April 21st will be given a chance to win one of the following GRAND PRIZE projects! (Let me hear you say "Oooooh!")
1) Rake leaves away from all buildings, minimum of 15'
2) Whack weeds around buildings, along paths and on the hiking/biking trails
3) Remove stairs in front of and behind cabins to prepare for new porches and stairs
4) Move all fire extinguishers to the dining hall
5) Finish the final 30' of trench between the new cabin and the bath house (Let me hear you say "Aaaaahh!")
6) Smooth out the gravel that was placed in the low spots along the road into Kids' Camp last fall
7) Finish installing the soffit and fascia materials around the new cabin
8) Help layout the forms for concrete pads to be poured later
9) Move a pile of 4" concrete blocks from the Family Camp bath house to Kids' Camp (Let me
hear you say "WOW!!!")
10) Install trim around the windows in the Nurse's Cabin
11) Finish nailing the hurricane clips in the new KC cabin and the new FC bath house
What do you need to bring with you? Yard tools,rakes, shovels weed whackers, leaf blowers, hammers, miter saws, air nailers and compressors; shoot! if you've got any tools at all, just bring them along. We've got a project for anyone and everyone!
Just do us this one teeny tiny little favor: let us know that you're coming so we can plan on feeding you.
Here's the plan; everyone that shows up around 9 AM on Saturday, April 21st will be given a chance to win one of the following GRAND PRIZE projects! (Let me hear you say "Oooooh!")
1) Rake leaves away from all buildings, minimum of 15'
2) Whack weeds around buildings, along paths and on the hiking/biking trails
3) Remove stairs in front of and behind cabins to prepare for new porches and stairs
4) Move all fire extinguishers to the dining hall
5) Finish the final 30' of trench between the new cabin and the bath house (Let me hear you say "Aaaaahh!")
6) Smooth out the gravel that was placed in the low spots along the road into Kids' Camp last fall
7) Finish installing the soffit and fascia materials around the new cabin
8) Help layout the forms for concrete pads to be poured later
9) Move a pile of 4" concrete blocks from the Family Camp bath house to Kids' Camp (Let me
hear you say "WOW!!!")
10) Install trim around the windows in the Nurse's Cabin
11) Finish nailing the hurricane clips in the new KC cabin and the new FC bath house
What do you need to bring with you? Yard tools,rakes, shovels weed whackers, leaf blowers, hammers, miter saws, air nailers and compressors; shoot! if you've got any tools at all, just bring them along. We've got a project for anyone and everyone!
Just do us this one teeny tiny little favor: let us know that you're coming so we can plan on feeding you.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Camp Killarney
Recently I've been working with the director of Camp Killarney, in Onsted, MI to create a web site for them and help them get started with using social media. Camp Killarney, or Killarney Lutheran Camp, is more or less our sister camp over in Eastern, Michigan.
You can check out their new website here: www.killarneycamp.org
I've learned a few things while working with them.
Killarney does a lot of the same things Lor-Ray does. They have:
But, they also do some unique things we've not tried before:
Working with the director has kind of opened up a door for our two camps to cooperate. First, they've got a link to Camp Lor-Ray on their website; we've promoted Killarney on our Facebook page; and soon we should have a link to their camp on our site as well. So, we've begun sharing things socially online, but hopefully we'll be doing some real things soon too. As an idea, since we do similar activities already, might it be possible to team up and do something totally different or new at one camp each year? We'll see. I'll keep posting ideas and updates as we get farther along into the camping season.
I'll be heading out to Camp Killarney sometime this summer to check out their facilities and programs. I encourage you to as well...but make sure not to forget about Camp Lor-Ray. ;-)
-Jeff
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| Killarney's Mt. Sinai |
I've learned a few things while working with them.
Killarney does a lot of the same things Lor-Ray does. They have:
- A Teen Retreat
- Camps for children in Preschool on up
- They operate a family camp
- They hold an annual Fall Festival (similar to our Its Chili in the Woods Chili Cook-off)
But, they also do some unique things we've not tried before:
- Work bees in Spring and Fall to open and close the camp
- Memorial Day Chicken BBQ
- Pig roast
- They have a Booster program with incentives (I suppose this is similar to our Membership program)
- Their Lutheran Church Association is made of specific churches who pay a membership fee to the camp
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| Canoeing at Camp Killarney |
I'll be heading out to Camp Killarney sometime this summer to check out their facilities and programs. I encourage you to as well...but make sure not to forget about Camp Lor-Ray. ;-)
-Jeff
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