Ray "Junior" Barnhart

Ray 'Junior' Barnhart, 77, of Pekin passed away at 10:56 am on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at his home. Junior was born on May 26, 1932 in Dixon, MO to Berkley and Lula (Hassler) Barnhart. He married Joyce Reyburn on November 24, 1951 in Creve Coeur, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Glenney Barnhart, three brothers and three sisters. Surviving is: his wife Joyce of Pekin; three daughters, Shelley I Chism of Pekin, Duval L. Barnhart of Pekin and Jocelyn E. (Mike) Koetter of Pekin; one son, Travis V. Barnhart of Indianapolis, IN;one daughter-in-law, Sue Barnhart, of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Justin and Joshua Barnhart, Brent and Christian Chism, Katie Jo Ketchum, Victoria and Travis Ray Barnhart; ten great grandchildren. Junior was a engine tester at the Tech Center for Caterpillar, Inc. He retired in 1992 with 42 years of service. He also served as a volunteer fireman for Caterpillar. He also worked for Culligan Soft Water for ten years and DeGroot's Gas Station for ten years He was a member of the UAW Retirees. Junior enjoyed metal detecting, fishing, riding his motorcycle, playing poker and shuffle board. He and his wife Joyce wintered at Texas Trails RV Resort in Texas for fifteen years.