Raymond Bryant
Ray Willard Bryant, 70, died Oct. 23, 2002, at Wichita.
He was born April 12, 1932, in his uncle Willard Morse's house in Waldo County, Maine, the fourth of 12 children born to Austin Miles and Geneva Hester (Morse) Bryant.
He attended rural schools and grew up in the Belfast, Maine, area. He and his family operated a sawmill, sawing and milling Jack Oaks and making lobster traps for the fishing industry.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army and met his wife, Janet, while he was stationed at Fort Riley.
On Aug. 21, 1955, Ray and Janet Priddle were married on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. The couple had four children, Steven, David, and twin daughters, Ann and Jan.
The couple made their home in Wichita where Ray was employed with a bridge construction company. In later years he enjoyed showing his family the bridges he helped build. Three years later they moved to Marion and Ray was employed as a truck driver for National Bi-Products of Wichita until his retirement in 2001.
Ray was baptized and confirmed as a member of Valley United Methodist Church on March 15, 1959. He and Janet transferred their membership to Eastmoor United Methodist Church in 1988.
He took great interest in his children and their successes and accomplishments. A quiet and reserved person, he enjoyed baking apple pies and would give them to friends and family members for birthdays. One of the great loves of his life was his grandchildren.
His favorite hobby was operating his CB equipment. He was a hard worker and enjoyed working. He also enjoyed spending time at the farm of his mother-in-law, grinding feed for her cattle on an old hammermill, and helping her with other farm chores.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David in 1978; three brothers, Arnold, Richard, and Richard's twin who died at birth.
He is survived by his wife, Janet of Marion; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Denise Bryant of Hillsboro; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Pat Carr and Jan and Darin Helmer, all of Marion; his mother-in-law, Erna Mae Yeagley of Marion; two brothers, Lloyd Bryant of Maine and Ronald Bryant of Tennessee; six sisters, Ruth Ripley, Katherine Spaulding, Avis Hall, Beatrice Lee, Virginia Whitney, and Arlene Trenholm, all of Maine; a brother-in-law, Laurence Priddle of Smithville, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Susan Yeagley Sullivan of San Diego, Calif.; a close family friend, Connie Williams of Marion; three grandchildren, Erin Carr, Lauren and David Helmer; other relatives; and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Eastmoor United Methodist Church with the Revs. John Goering and Marilyn Cox officiating.
"Hymn of Promise," was sung by vocalist Bob Brookens. Anita Brookens was organist.
Casket Bearers were Pat Carr, Darin Helmer, Jerry Kline, Rex Wilson, Jack Spain, and Jack Helmer.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with the American Cancer Society or the church.
