Cleo E Ray

Cleo E. Ray, 65, of Mason City died on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield after an extended hospital stay. He was born October 7, 1945 in Havana the son of Fred H. and Edith Seaman Ray. He was married to and had one daughter with Sherry Kircher. Cleo, the youngest of seven siblings, became an uncle at 2 years of age, and he was very involved with stand beloved by his nieces and nephews. He graduated from Havana Community High School in 1963, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964, serving on the U.S.S. Duluth and U.S.S. Hector during Vietnam. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, Post 406, and The Forty and Eight. Cleo was known for his sense of humor, hard work, and willingness to help a friend. He later worked at Simplex Time Recorder, achieving several sales awards, and he retired from Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Mason State Nursery. He had many hobbies over his lifetime (fishing, competitive bowling and pool, camping, cooking, etc.) but his favorites were working on classic cars and woodworking. He built a replica of a Frank Lloyd Wright table that still stands in the Mason State Nursery office in Forest City, and he was restoring a 1969 Chevelle. Surviving are his brother Ivan (Elaine) Ray of Lincoln; his sister Mrs. Lila Jean (Dale) Hayden of Dawson; his brother Buford (Lucy) Ray of Mason City; and his daughter, Mrs. Krista Ehlers. Krista lives in Washington State with her husband, Jeff and Cleo’s grandson, Damien. His parents, his sister Mrs. Beulah Brackbill of Larned, Kansas; his brother Arthur Ray of Havana; and his brother Arnold Ray, also of Havana, preceded him in death. Services will be at 11:00 am Friday, August 19, 2011 at Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City. Curt McCallister will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday night from 5-7 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mason City Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the American Legion Flag Fund. Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of the arrangements. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.