John Bray
John Roscoe Bray peacefully left this world to be with the Lord on June 21, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
John was born in Danville, Illinois, on May 13, 1955, to Dorothy and John Bray. He grew up in Pence, Indiana, and attended Seeger High School.
He married Sandy K. Bruens on July 29, 1999, in Hoopeston, Illinois. She survives.
John spent much of his life doing what he loved––working hard to provide for his family. John worked for years at FMC, Birkey’s, and he recently retired from KSI in Cissna Park. He also took pride in joining his dad and brother farming.
John enjoyed spending time in his garden and canning the vegetables that he grew. He spent many years in the woods hunting with his brothers and close friends. He also valued time with family, playing euchre, and talking about IU basketball. John was a dedicated Christian who found comfort each morning in his family Bible. He was a member of the Pence Methodist Church.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, John and Dorothy; his brother, Timothy J. Bray; in-laws Willard and Maurine Bruens; and brother-in-law, Steve Bruens.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy Bruens Bray; his brother, Mike (Tina) Bray of Rossville; his sister, Beth Ann (Curt) Knecht of Hoopeston; and his sisters-in-law, Janie (Allan) Baker, Debbie (Kevin) Tyler, Teresa Bruens, and Jane Bray Comrie. John was the loving father of Johnny Lee (Lindsey) Bray of Springfield, Chad (Tiffany) Bruens of Oakwood, April Fowler of Danville, RaeAnn Webster of Rossville, and Sierra Davis of Danville. He was “Papa” to Taylor Fowler, Paige Warren, Madisyn Bruens, Makynzie Bruens, Noah Fowler, Peyton Warren, Will Fowler, Keatyn Bruens, Piper Bray, Jorie K. Bruens, Whitney Davis, and Dawson Foster. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Family and close friends are invited to join in a celebration of John’s life on July 6th at the Hoopeston Multi Agency at 206 South 1st Avenue. A memorial service will begin at 12:30 PM, followed by a celebration of life meal from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Memorials may be made in John’s name to the Hoopeston Multi Agency.