Raymond L. Sylstra

Raymond L. Sylstra, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2026 after a courageous 10 year battle with Neuroendocrine Cancer Tumor (NET).

Ray was born on March 10, 1948, in Paterson, NJ, to the late Richard L. and Lena J. Van Hoff Sylstra. He was a member of the first graduating class of Warren Hills High School in 1968.

Ray co-owned and operated a dairy farm named Piney Hill Farm in Washington, NJ. Later in life, he worked as an oil burner technician for his father-in-law’s business, Bowman Oil and was a field manager for Wagner Farms.

Ray had a deep appreciation for gardening and woodworking, but his passion for model trains was truly unmatched. His train display featured up to seven trains running at once and included treasured train sets from his father-in-law dating back to the 1930s.

Ray and his wife, Christina, also enjoyed boarding horses and proudly cared for a team of Belgium workhorses.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife, Christina (Bowman); his two sons, Douglas Sylstra and Brian Sylstra; his granddaughter, Haley Sylstra; his step-grandchildren, Raven, Eric, and Ashton; and a sister Janette Hendershot.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Belvidere Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Healing NET Foundation, through mail at 415 Spence Lane, Nashville, TN 37210 or online at www.thehealingnet.org

To send online condolences, please visit www.WarrenHillsMemorialHome.com