Raymond LaVern Lloyd

LLOYD, RAYMOND L. LODI-Raymond L. Lloyd, age 93, of Lodi, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. Ray was born Nov. 24, 1921, on Lloyd's Pioneer Farm in Capron, IL, to Leslie and Alice (nee Smith) Lloyd. He was raised on his family's dairy farm. On June 15, 1946, Ray married Darlene Whitacre, and he passed away just five days short of their 69th Wedding Anniversary. After 24 years on the family farm, Ray worked for several years in Harvard, Ill., before beginning his life as a milk distributor for Dean's Milk, first in Illinois, and then in 1957 in the Lodi, Wisc. area, where he had a route for 20 years. In 1977, Ray went to work for Alkar, from which he retired in 1983. A masterful and creative woodworker, Ray spent many hours after retirement making everything from a 7' tall fishing pole cabinet to Baby Doll Cradles for each granddaughter. A "Welcome" sign (held by two bears) he made still greets customers at Lucy's Restaurant, his favorite breakfast place. His other hobbies included bowling (in men's and couple's leagues with Darlene), and playing 500 and Euchre with anyone who would sit down with him. Most of all, Ray was a family man. He loved nothing more than a houseful of kids and grandkids with lots of food and tables of card games. Ray left a wonderful impression on everyone he met – he loved to swap stories, jokes, and take Darlene out to eat at many local restaurants. Ray is survived by his wife, Darlene; and five children, Larry (Sharon), Karen, Ron (Ann), Gary (Jane), and Lori (Dan) Stone, all in the Lodi area. He is further survived by 12 grandchildren, Randy (Laura) Wenger, Rob (Sara) Wenger, David (Karen) Wenger, Jeremy (Jennifer) Lloyd, Brenda (Tyler) Shipley, and Talia (Mark) Shields, all of Lodi, Nicole (Scott) Lloyd of Wisconsin Dells, Brian (Bridgette) Lloyd of Ohio, Jesse (Lillie) Geeslin and Greg Geeslin of Marshfield, Mary Kate Geeslin of Illinois, and Steven Schmidt of Lodi; as well as 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving Ray are his sisters-in-law, Wilma Davidson, Evelyn Blank, and Joyce (Dave) Svensen, all of Illinois; as well as many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Clarence and Hazel (nee Hart) Whitacre; his brother, Russell Lloyd and his wife, Gerry; brothers-in-law, Bob Davidson and Ollie Blank; daughter-in-law, Lori Ann (Cook) Lloyd; and niece, Debbie Lloyd. A Memorial Service for Ray will be held at the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 258 Lodi St., Lodi, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Ray's life at a luncheon immediately after the service (approx. 11:30 a.m.), also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Good Samaritan Society Retirement Home in Lodi, or to the charity of your choice. The Lloyd family wishes to extend special thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at Good Samaritan. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Hamre Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street, Lodi (608)592-3201