COUTURE, Raymond Marcel, also known by his stage name "Abner Doolittle", age 92, of St. Clairsville, Ohio died Friday, June 8, 2012 at Liza's Place in Wheeling, WV.

He was born December 17, 1919 in Lewiston, Maine, a son of the late Peter Couture and Alfreda Buteau Couture.

Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, and friend to many.

He was a retired musician and salesman for WWVA Radio in Wheeling. He was an accomplished guitar player and songwriter. He won many awards for his music, including induction in to the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, and membership in the Country Music Walk of Fame in Wheeling. He performed with and was great friends of Doc Williams and his family. He was a nondenominational Christian, and served as a U.S. Army Medic in the 10th Mountain Division during WWII.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three children, Ken Couture, Ron Couture, and Diane Nagy; four brothers and a sister.

Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Irene Duley Couture; four children, Darlene Rose, Perry Couture, Richard Couture of St. Clairsville, and Brad Couture of Maryland; 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild.

Friends will be received at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville on Wednesday from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m. where services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. with Sheila Dunn officiating. Burial follows in Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove.

Belmont County Council of American Legions will provide military honors at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hospice's Liza's Place, 308 Mt. St. Joseph Rd., Wheeling, WV 26003.