Raymond Lester Forney

Raymond L. Forney, 89, passed away June 5, 2014 in Fairbury. Born July 30, 1924 to Rollin and Katherine (Broeder) Forney near Daykin, he attended a rural school, graduating from Daykin High School in 1944 and attended community college in Fairbury. He continued helping on the family farm.

Ray was united in marriage to Shirley Hewitt on June 5, 1960 in Endicott. They moved to the family farm north of Daykin in 1967 dairying and raising corn, milo, beans, and mint. He retired from farming in 1997. He worked several years for Roseners, and then moved to Fairbury in 1999.

He was baptized at the Methodist Church in Daykin September 13, 1925, joined the Methodist Church in 1937 and remained a United Methodist member in Daykin, Western and Fairbury. He held many offices in the church and taught the adult Sunday school for many years.
Ray served on the Jefferson County Soil Conservation Service Board in the late 1960’s attending meetings, which included a National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1971, his dairy was honored with first place in the United States Herd Health Contest and was granted a selection of any bread heifer of his choice.

The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service presented him “A Pat on the Back” award in 1983 for helping to carry out the educational program with 4-H youth.
He was a member of the Daykin Rural Fire Board and cared for the Eureka Cemetery many years.

Ray is survived by: his wife Shirley and 3 daughters, Raeshelle (Harlan) Rickers of Wymore; Janelle (Clif) Weir of Lincoln; Carrie (Lawrence) Haake of Plymouth; sister, Betty Gutzmer; sister-in-law, Elvira Rogers; brother-in-law, Bill (Barbara) Hewitt; 5 grandchildren: Curtis Rickers and Angie Rickers of Wymore; Nitacia, LJ, and Tyler Haake of Plymouth, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mary Root and Carol Jordening, and brother-in-laws Marvin Gutzmer and Lee Root; parents-in-law Howard & Anna Hewitt; sister-in-law Belva Hewitt and brother-in-law Doyle Rogers.

A memorial service was held June 10th at 10:30 a.m. at the UMC in Fairbury. Memorials are suggested to UNMC of Fairbury and Vic and Gwen Flaming, (Ray and Shirley’s niece) missionaries with International Training Partners.