Ray G. Batchelder

Ray G. Batchelder

Central City

Ray G. Batchelder, 85, of Central City, Iowa, was welcomed into the arms of his loving Savior on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the funeral home, with additional visitation time one hour prior.

Ray was born on Feb. 16, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Clancy Gilbert and Mary Sophia (Clark) Batchelder. He was a 1957 graduate of Alburnett High School. On Oct. 1, 1961, Ray was united in marriage to Lucelia Joan Bennington in Cedar Rapids. He was a lifelong farmer in the Central City/Alburnett area where he was passionate about soil science and tilling the land. He loved every hour spent in a tractor seat. As a founding member of Squaw Creek Baptist Church, he shared his love for Christ with many. Ray loved traveling with Joan, camping and canoeing with friends, playing cards, and chocolate ice cream. He always made it a point to make those around him laugh. Ray will be greatly missed by all who knew and got picked on by him.

Ray is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Suzy Schulte of Cedar Rapids, Jen (James) Sewell of Saratoga, Wyo., and Liz “Buffy” (R.J.) Blood of Central City; seven grandchildren; and sister, Mary Jane (Mearle) Griffith of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan, on March 7, 2018; infant daughter, Susan Ellyne, on Aug. 27, 1968; and infant son, Stephen Gilbert, on Dec. 14, 1970.

Please share a memory of Ray at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.