Raul A. Salaverria

Mr. Raul A. Salaverria, 88, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to many went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 while at his home in Lebanon, Ohio. Born in Penuelas, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Ramon Salaverria and Vigermina Pierantoni. He was preceded in death by his siblings Luis and Lydia.

In addition to his loving wife, Maria Antonia, to whom he was married for 66 years, Mr. Salaverria is survived by three children, Vilma Ivelisse Salaverria, Raul Alberto Salaverria (Melanie) and Carlos Ramon Salaverria (Sannet); seven grandchildren, Maximino Fernandez (Catrina), Juan Carlos Fernandez (Arilea), Abigail Renae Kilian (Ben), Raul Daniel Salaverria (Alyssa), Kristen Marie Roberts (Tristan), Kimberly Lauren Gonzalez (Kelsey), and Karl Blake Salaverria; fifteen great grandchildren, Josiah Daniel Fernandez, Joanna Alise Fernandez, Carlos Alberto Fernandez, Annalisse Carmin Fernandez; Ari Carlos Fernandez, Aeslyn Renae Kilian, Natalie Rose Kilian, Marjorie Hope Kilian, Maria Joy Kilian, Koda Anthony Roberts, Sullivan Lucas Roberts, Raelynn Mae Gonzalez, Evelyn Faith Gonzalez, Ronin Lee Gonzalez, and Lionel Raul Salaverria. He is also survived by his sister, Maria Magdalena Fornes, his brother Jose Ramon Fornes, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Salaverria served in the US Army Infantry Division for 20 years, where he survived both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and received many commendations and medals. He loved our country very much and took pride in being an American. His friends fondly called him “Sarge”. After his military career, he worked for the US Postal Service for 14 years. He was an avid gardener, loved to roast meats, and was a natural at bowling and playing pool. Raul began his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in 1974. He was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio since November 2013. He never knew a stranger and no matter where he stood, he was always inviting people to church to share in his faith.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from 11:00 am - 12:00 noon at Grace Baptist Church, 3023 N. Union Rd., Franklin. Graveside service will follow at Grace Memorial Gardens at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Baptist Church to support missionaries overseas. Raul was led to the Lord by a missionary in Puerto Rico, both of his sons and their wives are involved in missions, and his granddaughter, Abigail Kilian, and her family serve as missionaries to Zambia; hence his passion for missions.

The Salaverria Family would like to thank Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, Brightstar Care & Veteran Affairs, and Warren County Elderly Services for their loving kindness to not only Raul but to the family. Our sincere thanks to Ron Spaulding and his dedicated staff at Wilson Schramm Spaulding for their assistance during Raul’s homegoing. Our hearts of gratitude and love to Grace Baptist Church staff, GBC members, family and friends for their support at this time.