Raymond E Richard

Raymond Edward (Ray) Richard, 97, passed away 10/12/2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Ray requested no visitation. There will be a private family burial at East Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bloomington, IL. Memorials may be made to Lexington Community School District Number 7.

Ray was born on August 25, 1927, in Defiance, OH to John L Richard and Stella Mae (Kerr) Richard, the third of ten children. He married Glenna Marie Howard on November 23rd, 1952. She preceded him in death in November of 2001.

He is survived by his five children, sons Phillip (Shelly), and Randy (Peggy) of Towanda IL, Daniel (MaryBeth) of Normal IL, Michael (Kay), and daughter Gina (Danny) Roberds of Lexington; nine grandchildren Rachel (Kevin) Mudiandambo, John Richard, Justin (Mary) Roberds, Lisa (Matt) Parnell, Adam (Renee) Richard, Bridgette (Jon) Wycoff, Nick (Ashley) Richard, Randi Oliviero, and Sarah Turner; nine great granddaughters; brother Charles Richard, Lakeland, FL; and sisters, Joan Perkins, Gibson City and Cleda (Bruce) Lee, Pontiac.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Don, John, Robert, Joe, and Norman Richard and his sister, Dorothy Sanders.

He spent the first five years of his life on a farm in Defiance, Ohio where his father farmed. Ray has many memories of his young childhood on the farm. He remembers his Mom telling them if they weren’t quiet when they went to bed the hoot owls would get them. So, when they heard those owls, they would cover up their heads.

In the spring of 1933, the family moved to Illinois. He started school in a one room country schoolhouse where one teacher taught all eight grades. As tenant farmers, the family moved several times. Ray attended several one room schools; graduating the eighth grade from the Little Red School, a mile north of Normal IL. He had to go to Bloomington to take his final exam. Ray started high school at Normal Community High School (NCHS) where he spent his Freshman year. Next the family moved to Heyworth, IL where he spent one semester at Heyworth High School. Then the family moved back to Towanda, IL where he finished high school at Towanda High School, graduating in the Class of 1945. There was a total of thirteen students in his graduating class.

After graduating high school, he stayed home and helped with the farming. In 1948, with help from a retired local carpenter, Ed Luster, the family began building a house in Towanda. In 1950 the house was completed and the family moved in; one of Ray’s children lives in that same house today. Ray and his brother Robert stayed on the farm instead of moving to the new house. They farmed together until Ray enlisted in the Army in the fall of 1951. His first six months in the Army were spent at Ft. Riley, Kansas for basic training in the Infantry Division where he became an expert marksman. After basic training he was selected for the Army Security Agency and went to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts for six months to learn Morse Code.

During a short leave in 1952 he got married to Glenna Marie Howard in Normal, IL. He was then sent to Korea where he served in the 329th Com-Recon-Company. He came home and was discharged from active duty in November 1953. Upon returning home he and Glenna moved to the Trimmer Farm, five miles north of Towanda, where Ray lived until his death.

In 1954 Ray started a successful career in farming; he raised cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, oats, hay, corn and soybeans; at one time reaching 3,400 crop acres. Of the many accomplishments and awards during his farming career Ray was honored by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce as Outstanding Farmer of McLean County. When his sons were old enough, they joined him in the farming business. When he retired in the 1990’s, they took over the operation.

Aside from farming Ray drove a school bus for NCHS, drove a fuel truck, and delivered fuel for Sinclair Gas. He was a Superintendent at the Illinois State Fair and for many years at the McLean County Fair which he spent two years on the Fair Board and was Vice President during his second term. He supported local 4H, FFA chapters members and the Illinois Foundation FFA. He spent eight years on the Towanda Grain Company Board as President. He was a Cargill, Callahan and LG seed dealer for many years. Ray also served on the Lexington Community District number 7 School Board for eighteen years; thirteen of those as President. He was recently recognized as a Lexington Legend and his plaque hangs on the Wall of Legends at the school.

Ray and Glenna raised five children who are all successful in life. After a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis Glenna passed away in November of 2001 at the age of 70. At age 97 Ray still remained active, driving, helping on the farm, doing his own grocery shopping, playing countless games of Yahtzee and cards with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids: living on his own until his death.

Ray remembers 5 cent coffee, 5 cent pop, Bakers Hamburgers on South Main St in Bloomington where he could get seven hamburgers for a dollar. Going to the movies cost 25 cents, followed by Steak and Shake where a steak burger and shake cost him 24 cents. Gas at Owens Gas Station in Normal was seven gallons for a dollar; hot lunches at NCHS were 20 cents a day! He remembers the chinch bugs taking over the crops. There were no chemicals to control them, so the farmers dug trenches and

poured Creosote or Coal Tar in them as a barrier and trap to kill the bugs.

Ray played basketball and baseball throughout his school career. He continued playing organized baseball and fast pitch softball after high school, during his military service and into the 1960’s. He was an avid St Louis Cardinal baseball fan. He spent many years on a bowling league, neighborhood card club and took up golf for a few years upon receiving golf clubs for his retirement in the 1990’s.

Those who knew Ray knew he sometimes pretended to be gruff on the outside. However, he had a very kind heart and was a softy on the inside. He was most definitely entertaining to anyone around him; with his quick wit, wicked sense of humor, and often “colorful” vocabulary. He was smart, well respected, and a mentor to many people. He will be missed beyond words!

A special thanks to the Gentiva hospice caregivers.