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A private memorial ceremony with interment in Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery will take place at a later date.
Raymond Leonard Rutland Jr., age 76, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday evening, December 1, 2022, at his home.
He was born July 18, 1946, in Flora, the son of Raymond and Evelyn (Roy) Rutland Sr. He was united in marriage to Dorris Murbarger on February 14, 1992, in Flora, and together they have shared 30 wedding anniversaries.
Ray was a 1964 graduate of Flora Township High School. He was a well-known and highly skilled mechanic in Clay County for over 50 years. He loved his animals. Ray liked antiquing and flea markets and was always collecting a little bit of everything. He enjoyed drag strip and stock car racing, attending tractor and car shows, horseback riding, and always looked forward to attending Horse Camp with Dorris. He was constantly looking for 6 good numbers for the lottery. Ray will be remembered for being brutally honest but soft at heart. He was always willing to donate to others and help someone that was down on their luck.
He is survived by his wife: Dorris Rutland of Flora; 3 children: Mark (Robin) Rutland of Iuka, Christy (Eric) Robinson of Flora, and Chris (Dawn) Murbarger of Flora; 8 grandchildren: Reece (Myriam) Rutland of Benton, Cory Rutland of Long Mount, Colorado, Lenzi and Aidan Robinson of Flora, and Ava, Ethan, Kinsley, and Connor Murbarger, all of Flora; a sister: Peggy Jaco of Troy; several nieces and nephews; his beloved dog: Abby, his mule: Little John; and his cat: Angel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife: Jewell Rutland; a brother: Bob Rutland; and a sister: Virginia Smith.
A private memorial ceremony with interment in Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery will take place at a later date. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
So very sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. Ray was our neighbor for years. A very kind gentleman. He was so kind to our mom and dad. May God comfort the family at this time.
Ray was a wonderful man. He will be missed by many.
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers to the family and friend's. Ray was a great guy.
Sorry to hear of. Jr passing! Prayers to Dorris and family. Jr was a good friend to ever one—-and a honest mechanic!, Rip my friend!!!
God has a specialan with him.. so very sorry for ur loss..
sending love and prayers to your family from our family, He will certainly be missed, may God bless you and yours.
Another man gone way too soon. Ray was an amazing individual and an even better mechanic.
Very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful Friend who we loved dearly ❤️
So sorry to hear this! Prayers for his family!
So very sorry for your loss JR was a great guy. Thoughts & prayers for you & your family.
He will be fixing cars in heaven...God has gained a wonderful angel!!
Mark my sincerest condolences ro you and your family ..many thoughts and prayers to you all
Doris and Family My Thoughts and Prayers go out to you guys. Ray was an outgoing person who would do anything in the world for anyone. He will sadly be missed!!!
So Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing! He was well known and will be Missed by Many. Prayers for the Family!!!
Prayers to the family. Ray was so very nice and such a loss to our community
Dorris and family so sorry to hear about Ray you are in our thoughts and prayers 🙏
I am so so sorry for your loss. He will be so missed by everyone I'm this community. Prayers for family. ❤️🙏🏻
I'm so very sorry for your loss and praying for the whole family in this difficult time.
Mark, Dorris, and family, I am deeply heartbroken to hear the news if Ray passing. Omg, there just aren't enough words to describe him. I've been thinking of him alot the past few weeks.. We are so very sorry for your loss.... praying u find peace knowing he is finally free and watching over everyone he loves.
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Ray. I am praying for you all Christy and Mark and families and also Aunt Doris & Chris and family.
Thoughts and prayers to family. Such a good and thoughtful person.
So sorry Doris
So sorry to hear this..What a great guy and a great mechanic..He will be missed by many..Our thoughts & prayers for his family.
So sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
So sorry to hear about Rays passing. Prayers to Family. Another great old Friend from Class of 64.
I am so sorry for your loss..ray worked on my cars for me ..my prayers go to the family ..he will be missed ...
Condolences to you & yours Dorris❣️🙏
We are so very sorry for your loss. You’re all in our prayers. Love you so much!
So very sorry of Ray's passing. He was our neighbor for several years. I believe he could fix any car issue out there. Just an all around good person. Prayers to Mark and Christy and all his family. God Bless!
Ray was a great man. I am so sorry to the family their loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all!
so sorry for your loss , our deepest Sympathy !
Ray was a good man. Sorry for your loss. Pray s for the family
From the Soto's,we extend our condolences to the Rutland family.Mr.Rutland,always will be in our hearts,he was a very charming,and kind.
Ray was such a nice and honest man. Helped me out several times. Great mechanic and a hard worker. He will be missed by many.
We will miss you. You were a great brother-in-law. To Dorris, Mark, Christy and Chris: We are so sorry and send you love and prayers.
Dorris and Chris, my condolences to you and all the family at Ray's passing. When Cas got too old and too tired to work on his own vehicles, Ray was the only person he trusted to be honest and fair and to do the job right. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Comforting hugs to you my friend.
Ray we know you give you all in every thing you did in life .and help others and people would use you and think it was ok . but we know who the winners are in the long run. you have them 6 good numbers you been looking for so long. you will be missed
To all the family we send our condolences. He was the greatest
I am very sorry to hear about Ray's passing. Prayers for the family.
Ray was a good friend to so many of us. He will be missed.
Always sit by or around him on the Bus, Rest in Peace Ray Prayers for the Family
So sorry, Dorrey, for your loss. He was such a sweet man. Thoughts are with you and your family.
the rutland family has our sympathy
So sorry for your loss Ray was an awesome man my thoughts and prayers are with all the family 🙏
Doris and Mark I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Ray was a good person and helped so many of us even when he was already swamped with other jobs. Will miss him .
I will miss Ray, Friends forever. I will think of him often.
You will be missed
Sorry to hear he worked on my auto many times. Prayers for the family he will be missed.
Ray was sweet man. My deepest sympathy for Doris and his family. I'm sorry for you and your family loss.
Thoughts and prayers for the Rutland family Ray will be missed
We are so sorry for your loss. Mike started working for Greenwood Motors in 1969. He worked with Ray in the back room at nights helping Ray recondition jeeps. Mike finally worked up to doing body work and painting a 1957 Chevy hardtop with lots of mentoring from Ray. Ray rebuilt the engine in that car and Mike and Reggie drove that car for several years. Ever since then Ray was a true friend. It is ironic that all the employees at Greenwood Motors went on to open their own shops. He will be truly missed,
We are so saddened by Rays passing..he will be missed by so many..prayers for you Doris and you family at this difficult time
I'm so sorry for your loss,Dorris...JR was such a Great man...my thoughts and prayers 🙏 are with you and your family (HUGS)
Mark and family, Ray will be missed by all. May God be with you at this time and give you strength and comfort. Sorry to hear of your loss.
There is not now and never was a more friendly and helpful person on the planet,in my opinion. "Not to mention patient and hard working." Nothing got done unless it was done right. No matter what it took to get there.
Ray was a good and caring man. Would do anything for you. Prayers to the family.
Family will not recognize my name. Just someone who remembers how pleasant Ray was and always grateful that he could fix my van when it wasn’t doing right. A couple little fixes he didn’t even charge me. May the Lord bless his family with peace. The world needs more men like Ray.
So sorry for your loss, hugs and prayers.
Christy, I am so sorry for you and all your family. Ray was. a good man, and you can be proud of him.
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family
Great man to know he will be missed by many
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Ray was Such a Great guy who was always there to help me out & cheer me up during the process , he was a great friend to many of us and my thoughts & prayers go out to the family & Many friends during this time.
Grandpa was a special person who helped shape me into who I am today. The type of man who is a pillar of the community just by being who he is. He was always kind and willing to help others. Taught me some good dirty jokes and will always have great memories of the shop and going horseback riding. I've got so many of his sayings that I can't help but use to this day. Just a great man who the world will miss. I'm proud to have had him as my grandfather. Love you grandma and grandpa.
My sincerest condolences for your loss of a great husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend. He was always loved and appreciated by all. May God care for you all and comfort you during this time of grief. 🙏🙏
We are so very sorry to read of Ray’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are for you, family and friends during this most difficult time. I’m sure you have many wonderful memories, doing so much together……which is a blessing, as sadly many married couples do not….
Sincere condolences Dorris and all the families and friends 🙏
Thinking of you, so sorry for your loss.
He was such a good man. He was a excellent mechanic always willing to help you. He will be missed. Prayers for his family.
RIP Uncle Ray, I was so thankful to get to spend a couple of summers working for you in the garage. Such a great man, teacher, and friend to our family! He worked so hard and was so giving and generous. Prayers and condolences to the entire family, Denise and I’s hearts and thoughts are with you all 🥺🙏🏻❤️
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Christy Mark and family I am so sorry for your loss. Ray was the funniest guy and always told some great stories. I will always remember Ray as he held a special place in my heart. He was always so kind sweet natured and intelligent. So sorry Dorris my prayers and thought are with you all. He will forever hold a special place in my heart I know Mike had such high respect for him. Fly high Ray RIP my dear friend. Again, I pray for peace and comfort to the hearts of all family and friends.
Robin and Mark Thoughts and prayers to the entire Rutland family.
So sorry for your loss. He was well known and loved by many. Love and prayers to the family
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
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