Obituary of Richard Raymond Bailey

Richard "Dick" Raymond Bailey, age 85 of Midland, son of Robert & Esther (McDonald) Bailey fell asleep in death on May 29, 2017. Dick was at his home surrounded by his wife, his children, and many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he passed. Dick graduated from Midland High School in 1951, and married his sweetheart, Lois (McClain) Bailey "the best thing that ever happened to me" on September 15th that same year. Dick and Lois were happily married for 65 years. Dick was employed at The Dow Chemical Company from 1951 until his retirement in 1988. On May 12th, 1990 he was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and faithfully served as an active member of the South Midland Congregation. He enjoyed sharing the Bible's good news of God's Kingdom throughout the Midland area. Dick was well known to his friends in Midland, enjoying playing cards, golfing, bowling, camping and spending time with his family. Along with his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother Donald Bailey, sister Mona Hulse, his brothers-in-law, Leon Hulse, Harrison, Maynard, Ronald, Bernard, Larry McClain, Gus Wontorcik, Mahlon "Woody" Swartzendruber, and sister-in-law, Edith McClain. In addition to his wife Lois, Dick is survived by his seven children, Pam Bailey, Beverly (Mark) Witkop, Richard (Wendy) Bailey, Brenda (Duane) Zienert, Robert (Norma) Bailey, Donald (Kimberly) Bailey, and Dennis (Elayne) Bailey. Also, he had eighteen grandchildren, Brent (Viki) Simons, David (Bridget) Bailey, Bradley (Mary) Simons, Gregory (Rachel) Bailey, Scott (Natasha) Zienert, Jeffrey (Krystal) Zienert, Kelly (Alan) Arnold, Joshua (Kassie) Bailey, Richard (Bethany) Bailey, Jennifer (Brock) Howell, Kurt (Trisha) Simons, Lisa (Marcus) Wiley, Jacob (Joanna) Bailey, Zachary (Ashley) Bailey, Brandon (Nissa) Zienert, Madison Bailey, and her fiancé Brendan Newsom, Cameron and Logan Asher. Also, Dick had 33 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his aunt Mable McDonald, sister Evelyn Kay Bailey, his sisters-in-law Delores Bailey, Donna Wontorcik, Gertrude McClain, Beryl McClain, Margaret Swartzendruber, Joyce (Robert) Haner, and Carolyn McClain. The number of nieces and nephews that Dick deeply loved are numerous. Visitation with family and friends will be held at 4:30 PM, with a Memorial Service at 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2990 East Wheeler Street, Midland, Michigan. Family friend and Congregation Elder Justin Eastman will officiate. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com All sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.