Bobby Ray Oney

Bobby Ray Oney, age 87, of Portage, Indiana, passed away at home on September 7, 2023, with his loving family and pastor by his side.
Bobby was born on August 22, 1936, in Hayes Crossing, Kentucky, the eldest son of Virgil and Bonnie Sparks Oney. Bobby was educated in the Rowan County, Kentucky schools graduating in 1954, served four years in the United States Air Force, moved to Northwest Indiana with his bride in 1958, and began working in the Shipping and Billing Department at Youngstown – Jones & Laughlin – LTV Steel of East Chicago where he remained employed until his retirement in 1999.

On April 15, 1969, Bobby accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Evangelistic Temple, and throughout his Christian life, served as a Sunday School Bus Driver, Sunday School Superintendent, Usher, Door Greeter, Outreach Director, Church Administrative Assistant, and Deacon. At the time of his passing, Bobby (fondly known as Brother Oney) served as Elder at Life Sanctuary in Merrillville, Indiana. Bobby had the love of God for all and was beloved for his expression of that love through many years of dedicated service to the church ministry.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Bonnie Sparks Oney; wife of nearly 50 years, Coralee Rutledge Oney, whom he married on October 26, 1958, and was called home to heaven on July 6, 2008; infant daughter, Lydia; daughter-in-law, Leah Blakely Oney; sister, Judith Oney Moore; brothers, Billy Joe and Jack Oney; sisters-in-law, Kathy and Sondra Rutledge; and brothers-in-law, George and Frank Rutledge, George Lowe, and Maurice Moore.

Bobby is survived by his children, Vanessa (Tom) Boswell, Forrest (Kelly) Oney, and Mary (Tim) Newsome; grandchildren, Victoria (Joe) Perez, Garrett, William (Makayla), and Bradley (Junisia Cain) Boswell, John (Samantha) Sarver, Miles (Alli) Oney, Adanna Kleinhardt, and Matthew and David Reding; great-grandchildren, Coralee, Korbin and Thomas Boswell, Xander Perez, Jayceon Penrose, Linkyn and Kasen Kleinhardt, and Aleah Oney; brother, Jim (Cheryl) Oney; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Oney, Ann Lowe, and Susan Rutledge; brother-in-law, Charles Rutledge; precious aunt, Mildred Smith; dear cousin and friend, Kenneth White; and much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Life Sanctuary in Merrillville, Indiana, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place at Life Sanctuary in Merrillville, Indiana, on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Mark Smith and Reverend Robert Stroup officiating. Interment services will follow immediately thereafter at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Any questions should be directed to White Funeral Home located at 921 West Glen Park Avenue, Griffith, Indiana 46319 (219-924-4100).
Bobby’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude for all of the “thinking of you” phone calls, cards, and letters that Bobby received during his terminal illness, and to Hospice of the Calumet Area for their special loving care and support of Bobby while he was at home on hospice care.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Bobby Ray Oney, please visit our Tree Store.