Ray C. Hardy, Jr. Obituary (1930 - 2015)

Ray died peacefully at home Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 4. Ray was dearly loved by his wife Ann; daughters Lynn Fry (Evan) of Madison,WI and Beth Gilmour (Tom) of Orangeville, IL; sons Robert Hardy of Madison,WI and Timothy Hardy (Caryn) of Durand, IL; grandchildren Gretchen Adams (Andrew), Jason Fry (Ally), Hannah Fry, Amanda Fry, Laura Heath, Andrew Gilmour, Sarah Gilmour, Amanda Jane McKinney, Raymond Hardy, Rebekah Hardy, Stephani Hardy, Morgan Hardy, Erica Northrup (Cody) , Carolyn Hernandez; great-grandchildren Aurora McKinney, Piper Heath, Macall Heath and Elliette McKinney. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Helen (Arthur) Clarke and two stillborn brothers. Ray was born at Rockford Memorial Hospital and was the son of Dr.and Mrs.Ray Hardy, Sr. He was raised in Roscoe, IL and graduated from Hononegah High School. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 and was stationed in Cheyenne, WY and Thule, Greenland. During his time in Cheyenne, he married Delores Ann Johnson. Upon discharge from the service, Ray and Ann came back to Roscoe, where he farmed for 29 years. When Roscoe became too crowded, he moved to Lake Summerset and bought a farm in Orangeville, where he farmed with his daughter Beth. Beth’s husband Tom joined them in the farm operation after they were married. Ray was an avid model train enthusiast. His hobby started when he was 6 years old, and continued until his death. He enjoyed spending time with his high school friends during his monthly breakfast get-togethers. Memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Durand United Methodist Church, 102 East Main Street, Durand, Illinois with Pastor Brian Channel officiating. McCorkle Funeral Home-Durand Chapel, 101 Main Street, Durand, Illinois assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to United Methodist Church of Durand, 102 East Main Street, Durand, IL, 61024 or the Monroe Clinic Hospice, 515 22nd Avenue, Monroe, WI, 53566.