Raymond "Ray" Vandeventer, Sr

CHARLES CITY, Iowa - Raymond "Ray" Vandeventer, Sr., 80, of Charles City, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Ray Vandeventer will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church. Pastor Ruth Yeaton will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will continue Friday at the church an hour prior to the service.

Raymond Calvin Vandeventer was born March 15, 1927, at Charles City, the son of Ernest and Grace (Nabor) Vandeventer. He received his education from the Charles City schools. Ray proudly served in the United States Army during World War II and always took special pride in the fact that he was in the honor guard for President Truman in Washington D.C. On July 14, 1946, he was united in marriage to Allavina „Ella‰ Adelmund at the Little Brown Church. Ray worked at the Oliver White Farm Equipment Company for 49 years. During that time he had work assignments in every manufacturing department in both the factory and foundry. He served 8 years as a chief steward in the union, and during the last 17 years of his extensive career, he was a maintenance supervisor in the foundry with his final assignment being a security guard. Ray was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Moose Lodge and Heritage Club. His interests included hunting, fishing, trapping, playing cards, working on tractors, and collecting Oliver memorabilia. Ray always looked forward to spending time with his family and friends. Special times included the family reunions and coffee times with the retired White Farm employees and the Saturday Men‚s Prayer Group.

Living family members include his wife Allavina Vandeventer of Charles City; six children, Raymond, Jr. (Joann) Vandeventer of Charles City, Richard (Dorothy) Vandeventer of Charles City, Gloria (Kennie) Troge of Charles City, Roger Vandeventer of Grafton, Wis., Randy (Terri) Vandeventer of Charles City and Lorie Barber of Charles City; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Aurora Barber; a grandson, Jon Vandeventer; a great grandson, Josh Troge; six sisters; and five brothers.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa Charles City site, 1003 Gilbert Street, Charles City, IA 50616 or First Baptist Church, 105 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.