08/11/2026
Patricia Ann Rayman
Patricia Ann (Grabowski) Rayman, 79, of Van Wert County, Ohio passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026 at 5:13 a.m., after a courageous battle with Myasthenia Gravis at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima Inpatient Hospice. Blessed with a rare and gentle humility, her life was a beautiful tapestry of kindness, selfless giving, and sacred devotion. She poured her heart into her family, her friends, and her art, forever shaping the young lives she so lovingly taught.
She was born September 2, 1946, in the General Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey, it has been said, her mother went into labor while taking in a show at Radio Music Hall, to her late parents, Adolph ‘Al’ Stanley Grabowski and Pauline Damchak-Grabowski. On May 23, 1975, Pat married Bernard ‘Ben’ Rayman at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Delphos, officiated by Rev. Albert Ottenweller.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Barbara Rood, West Milford, NY, and Janet Ravas and brother-in-law, Robert Ravas, Scotia, NY; nephew, Steven Anderson, Forked River, NJ; father and mother-in-law, Edward L. and Hazel (Fogt) Rayman, Ottoville; in-laws, Thomas and Sara Rayman, and Roger Ulm Sr., Delphos.
Pat is survived by her husband, Ben; sister-in-law, Charlotte Rayman-Ulm, Delphos; brother-in-law, Walter J. Rood, Toms River, NJ; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Randy) Ulm-Teman, Ashley (Justis) Teman-Dowdy, Van Wert, Andrew (Brooke) Teman, Delphos, Michael Ulm, Delphos, Brooke Teman, Detroit, MI, Amy (Kevin Brinkman) Rayman-Mercer, Ft. Jennings, Avery and Gage Mercer, Delphos, Roger (Mandy) Ulm Jr., Drew Ulm, Logan Ulm, Venedocia, April F. Rayman, Nate and Alex Rayman, Van Wert, Robert (Debra) Ravas, Wappinger Falls, NY/Parish, FL; Debra Rood-Anderson, Lisa Anderson-Potter and Eric Anderson, Toms River, NY, Richard and Karen Rood, Brittney Rood, Wayne, NJ and many more extended Grabowski and Rayman family members throughout the US, including Pat’s very close friends, who she embraced as treasured sisters and brothers.
Patricia Rayman was a practicing teacher of the arts for all ages. Born and educated on the East Coast, she was initially taught by working professionals from New York City. She is a graduate of the New Jersey School of Fine and Industrial Arts, New York Institute of Photography, and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Also, she has successfully completed countless continued education courses and programs in art academics and a host of art applications as well as writing and children’s literature.
After a summer teaching post ended where she worked with special children, Pat declined career opportunities to apply her creative skill as an illustrator for an eminent greeting card company on New York’s Madison Avenue as well as to remain and teach art education within her East Coast roots. Through college friend, Margaret Harter, she learned of art teacher opening. She ventured to Delphos, rural agricultural city located in the Northwest central corridor of Ohio, and has taught at Franklin Elementary, Jefferson Middle and Landeck schools for over 32 years. However, her teaching was not limited to children, but all ages at various art organizations, including university art academics.
Patricia Rayman not only practiced what she taught, but realized years later her first two years in art school – and being taught by professionals – made the transition to education a success for her and for the children. Additionally, she was showered with hundreds of awards for her own art and photography, including having her artworks published in several books.
Concurrently over the years she has been selected as Big Sister of the Year for her involvement in a young girl’s life which allowed this child to bud from a thorny environment and blossom forward wit noted local and national achievements. She was also selected Tri-County Woman-of-the-Year for her volunteerism and an undaunted willingness of providing encouragement; Art is ageless, not only to the young, but even amongst nursing home seniors.
Pat has been recognized by the Ohio Senate for her humanitarian contributions which goes back to her younger years working wit emotionally and physically handicapped children. In addition, she also received an Outstanding Achievement in Education award as the founder of Art-to-Art: Building Friendships Through Art, (1986-2006) a national art-based education program which bridged the gap with the subjects of Geography, History, Reading, Writing, and Communications through Human Relations. The program peaked to over 400 schools in 42 states, having a potential awareness via print media exposed of 50 million. Her so-far life’s travels read like a Who’s Who list; in fact, she was included in Who’s Who In America n the past.
A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church., Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13 at Weber Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth Street, Delphos, where a Parish Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio City Fire Department/EMS; Wassenberg Art Center, St. Rita’s – Mercy Health Spiritual Department, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Special heartfelt gratitude for all their prayers to Father Joseph Varghese, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Father Kent Kaufman, St. Charles Catholic Church, Lima; Chaplin Scott Long, Independent Bible Church; Chaplin John Sclier, Chaplain Ben Neff, Churches of God, General Conference Rev. Chaska Yoder and Darrin Belousek, Mennonite; Elder Allen Juan and Sister Anna Myers, Kingdom Hall, and Chaplain Herb Wilker for their spiritual blessings, including special friends and family that visited Pat while awaiting.
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