C&K Founder Dies After Stabbing

ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

BROOKINGS, Ore. — Funeral services are scheduled for this Friday for Ray Nidiffer, a co-founder of Ray's Food Place and C&K Markets here who had been hospitalized with knife wounds after what police had said was apparently a murder-suicide attempt.

As previously reported, his wife, June Nidiffer, 80 — who had advanced Parkinson's disease and macular degeneration — was found stabbed to death March 15 at the senior-living facility where they both lived; her husband was found at the same time with apparently self-inflicted knife wounds.

Ray Nidiffer, 79, died this past Friday of respiratory failure due to a heart condition, a company spokeswoman said. She also said the police had closed their investigation of the deaths, with no charges forthcoming.

Nidiffer originally bought a half-interest in C&K in 1956, and then bought out his partners in 1967. He turned the business over to his son, Doug, in 1997.

Survivors include two children, Doug Nidiffer and Patricia Nidiffer Fletcher; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Ray Nidiffer is also survived by a sister, and June Nidiffer is survived by two sisters.

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