It is with love and sadness we share the passing of Raymond (Ray) Anthony Slavik, 74. He died on December 22, 2022 peacefully at home with his family. He was born in West Bend, WI on July 30, 1948 to Marie Gruber and Wenzel Slavik.

Ray graduated from West Bend High School in 1966 and entered the army shortly after. He was sent to Vietnam in 1967, being assigned to the military police in Saigon and then was transferred to the 25th Infantry Division for the rest of his tour. He was awarded the Vietnam Campiagn Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star with "V" device.

After his time in the service, he went to Embryriddle Aeronautical School and obtained his pilot's license. He went on to numerous jobs as a helicopter pilot in Buffalo, NY and in Janesville, WI. He was an EMS pilot for several different programs in Wisconsin including Theda Star and Brown County Rescue for many years. He was also a test pilot for Enstrom Helicopter in Menominee, MI. He also had his own business as a helicopter instructor, teaching many students how to fly and making many great friends in the process.

Ray loved flying, swimming with his son Jon, hunting, fishing, Nascar (attending numerous races over the years, across the country), watching the Packers, Brewers, and the Bucks, as well as watching Jon competing in Special Olympics. He also loved Corvettes, having owned seven of them over his lifetime.

Ray is survived by his wife Dianne of De Pere, his three children, Brandi (Sean) Mars of Muskego, WI, Jay Michel of Marinette, WI, Jon Slavik of De Pere, as well as his grandchildren, Kyra Michel, Brandon Mars, and Molly Mars.

Ray is further survived by his siblings, Betty Mapes, Eileen Steger, Richard Slavik, Patricia Mueller, Janice (Wilmer) Klahn, Jean (Sylvester) Krahn, Robert (Carolyn) Slavik. He is also survived by his Aunt Johanna Fischer (who just turned 103), his sister-in-law, Mary Dahl, brother-in-law Kent Hanson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and in laws, as well as Rosemary and Roman Barth, Harold Mapes, Laverne and Kenneth Schoebel, Joseph Steger, Joan Slavik, Lloyd Mueller, Joyce and Lawrence Bittner, Lester and Gloria Dahl, Donn and Glen Dahl, Marilyn Hanson, Geraldine and Donald Gosdeck, Herman Dahl Jr., and Douglas Dahl.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Ray at a later date.