He was born to Joseph & Marie (Steffes) Lenaway in Springfield. He married Florence E. O’Farrell on September 3, 1960 who passed on February 22, 1986. He later married Ellen Smith on November 27, 1992.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen; two daughters, Kimberly Lenaway (Jim Goodfellow) of Williamsfield and RaeJean (Richard) Kuntz of Gridley; two sons, Scott Lenaway of Fort Collins, Colorado and Mark (LaVon) Lenaway of Batavia; a step-daughter, Kim Solomon of River Falls, Wisconsin; a special niece, Kelly Ward of Palm Bay, Florida; a sister, Mary Eschelbach of Deer Creek; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.
Ray was also preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Florence; one brother, John Lenaway and a brother-in-law, Karl Eschelbach.
Ray served his country from 1953-1955, as a military policeman stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany. He retired from Caterpillar after 34 years in 1992. He loved the camping days, gardening, antiquing, their couples’ dancing group and music. The best times he spent was with family and friends in which he loved laughing and sharing life’s moments.
In his last days, he was a light and a joy to fellow residents and staff. The deepest appreciation and gratitude is given to the ARC staff for their special love and care for Ray. As he would often say, “Be safe, Be careful and Be who you are”. He will be greatly missed.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pekin.
His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Vernon Risner will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow the memorial service in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Carol House of Hope at the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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