Ray C. Musser

Ray C. Musser, age 79, of Smithshire, passed away at 4:24 p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2008, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Ray was born on July 29, 1928, in Biggsville, Illinois. He is the son of William Ray and Leola Catherine Newton Musser. Ray was reared and educated in the Media area, and graduated from Media-Weaver High School in 1946. He married Esther Ann Johnson on March 12, 1949 in Stronghurst, Illinois. Ray began farming following high school in the Media area. He farmed both grain and livestock all his life. He had an active interest in promoting agriculture locally. Ray also served for a time on the school board. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth. His primary interest was his family and his grandchildren. Surviving Ray is his wife Esther Ann Musser of Smithshire, Illinois, five daughters; Martha Menton and Michael of Culpeper, Virginia, Reva Stackniw and Myron of Galesburg, Illinois, Ruth Gibb and Gary of Media, Illinois, Lillie Dragoo and Dennis of Metamora, Illinois, and Karen Jack of Smithshire. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and one sister, Donna Collinson and Dale of Galva, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter and one brother. Services:A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth. Interment will be in Center Grove Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday evening, July 9, 2008, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, where his family will receive friends. A memorial fund has been established for the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth or to the Hunger Appeal.