Ricky Raye Bland

Ricky Raye Bland, age 65, of Bloomington, died Monday evening at his residence. Born March 31, 1950 in Bloomington, he was the son of Oscar Bland and Nellie E. (Henderson) Bland Johnson. He retired from G.E. in Bloomington in 2005 as a quality control inspector. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening and generally just spending time outdoors. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his siblings; Barbara (Dr. Philip) Drake, of Bloomington, Ronnie Bland, of Bloomington, Denny Bland, of Kona, Hawaii, Donna (Greg) Fichter, of Bloomington and Dannie Bland, of Bloomington; several nieces and nephews, Michael Bland, Kimberly Bland, Daniel Douglas Bland, Patricia Ellen Henry, Yvonne Annette Bland, Marcus Drake, Angela Drake, John Kelley, Mia Bland, Dana Bland, Derrick Bland, Stacy Bland and Denny Ray Bland and several great-nieces and great-nephews, Coda Patton, Cadence Patton, Nikki Mishler, Garrett Smith, Gabriel Smith, Connor Smith and Jerry Mishler.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Maxine Drake and one brother, Jerry Bland.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 3 at Rose Hill Cemetery with the Monroe Veterans Honor Guard performing military rites. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service.

Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com