Obituary of Raymond Edward Fulbright

Reverend Raymond Fulbright, 70, of Niles, entered into eternal rest at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Ray was born on February 14, 1950 to Nicholas E. and Sally Ann (Goodling) Fulbright. After graduating from Berrien Springs High School, class of 1969, Ray went on to attend Bethel College and Dubuque Theological Seminary. Ray worked for several years as a welder and industrial sales. In 2004 Rev. Fulbright received his call to the ministry and was the assistant to the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Niles. In 2014 he would become the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in South Bend. In 2015 Rev. Fulbright would begin serving the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles, as pastor, where he has remained until his passing. Ray had a variety of hobbies and interests including, feeding wild birds, boating, gardening and the wind at his back when he was on a motorcycle. Ray also was a roller coaster enthusiast, a special bond he shared with his daughter. He also had a love for music, sometimes recalling the days he played in a band in high school, The Likes of Us. On October 25, 1969 Ray wed the love of his life, Sandra Brohman at a ceremony in Arden, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sally Fulbright and his mother-in-law, Linda Ann Brohman. Raymond is survived by his wife, Sandra Fulbright of Niles; his father, Nicholas (Gwen) Fulbright of North Port, Florida; son, Shawn Fulbright of Rockford, Michigan; a daughter, Shannon (Mike) Brodeur of Hancock, Michigan; three grandchildren, Anthony, Madeline and Olivia; siblings, Jerry (Jill) Fulbright of Sturgis, Michigan, Peggy (Tharon) Taylor of Franklin, Kentucky, Nick (Debbie) Fulbright of Three Oaks, Michigan and Keith (Mandy) Fulbright of Berrien Springs; Sandra’s father, Earl L. Brohman of Berrien Springs and her sister, Sheryl (Jim) Kesterke of Berrien Springs as well as many extended family members and close friends. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Reverend Ray Fulbright will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles with the Rev. Janet Van Lear, officiating. Committal in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church will be private. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. A time of visitation will begin at St. John’s United Church of Christ at 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Due to COVID-19 seating will be limited, State of Michigan guidelines will be followed, masks are required and social distancing practiced. Rev. Fulbright’s service will be available to be viewed as we livestream on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles. Memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Raymond Fulbright’s memory to the St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.