Visitation: 9 a.m. to
10:15 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2021 at Zion Lutheran
Church, Lincoln
Service:
10:15 a.m. Friday May 28, 2021 at the church
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Richard Ivan Ray, 87, was called to
his heavenly home on December 20, 2020, in Lincoln,
Illinois. Ivan was born on April 17, 1933 in
Chandlerville, Illinois to Fred and Edith (née
Seaman) Ray, the third of seven children. He was
raised in Mason County and attended Havana High
School, from which he graduated in 1951.
He married the love of his life, Elaine (née Morris)
Ray on March 8, 1953. He left soon after to serve in
the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant
during the Korean War, stationed in Germany.
Following Ivan’s discharge from the service, he
entered the field of business ownership and auto
repair, first at Ray’s DX Service on U.S. Route 66,
then at Modern Brake Shop on Keokuk, now Modern
Brake and Alignment Shop at 1000 Commercial Park,
all in Lincoln, Illinois. Subsequent to all that, he
became an independent insurance agent for many
years.
Ivan and Elaine attended Zion Lutheran Church, where
they were both active in various aspects of ministry
and service. Ivan was involved in the community,
both as a businessman and serving on various
committees, including the Board of Tourism. He was
well-known as a man who loved God, his family, and
his country. |
He was preceded in death by his wife
of 64 years, Elaine, one son, Kyle Ivan, one
grandson, Aaron Kyle, his parents, three brothers,
and one sister.
He is survived by two sons, Kevin
(Linda) and Keith (Jeaneen) Ray; two daughters,
Kimber Leigh (Dave) Brucker and Kara (Clay) Rull; 11
grandchildren: Liberty Canady, Mike Ray, Adam
Charron, Ashleigh Mauhar, Allyson Leesman, Abi Wake,
Amy Troyer, Adam Brucker, Austin Brucker, Shanna
Covarrubias, and Emily Rull, and 19 great
grandchildren: Lauren, Carter, Katelyn, Kinley,
Tanner, Avery, Arrington, Addison, Hollis, Avia,
Arastynn, Kobus, Weller, Micah, Kylie, Lyndon, Kian,
Elijah, Judah, Caleb, and Isla.
A private service is to be held on Wednesday,
December 23. A celebration of Ivan’s life will be
held Friday, May 28, 2021. Visitation will be
held at Zion Lutheran Church, 205 Pulaski Street,
Lincoln from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. with a service
from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will be at
Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana around 12 noon.
Memorials may be made to
Zion Lutheran Church and School, The Christian
Village, or the American Legion Post #263.
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Ivan Ray |