Raymond Wright Bodger (1873-1945)

BODGER, MARTIN, VALENTINE, BURT, CARTWRIGHT, PRICE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal December 22, 1945 (page 3)

Ray W. Bodger Was Laid To Rest Thursday Afternoon

Funeral services for the late Ray W. Bodger, 72, who passed away at the Mary Greeley hospital in Ames on Sunday afternoon were held at Central Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the Rev. James D. Ransom officiating.

The Masonic committal service was held at the church at the close of funeral service, with Ira R. Kempkes exemplifying the impressive service.

The many beautiful flowers were evidence of the high regard in which the deceased was held in this community. They were cared for by the Sewing Club of which Mrs. Bodger is a member and Mrs. Arthur Hale.

The casket bearers were H. M. Vinsel, F. M. Boardman, Carl Whitney, Sam Humke, H. J. Montgomery, and M. J. Heusinkveld, six of the group of seven elders of Central Presbyterian church of which the deceased had been one of the members.

Committal was in the Maxwell cemetery with a brief service in charge of Rev. Ransom.

The following obituary was read at the funeral service:

"Raymond Wright Bodger, son of John R. and Sarah Jane Bodger, was born on a farm in McLean County, near El Paso, Illinois, October 29, 1873. He lived in that vicinity until March, 1891, when he moved with his parents to a farm near Onarga, Illinois. While living there he attended Grand Prairie Seminary and was graduated from the commercial department of that school in 1896. That same year he moved with his parents to a farm near Maxwell, Iowa. His parents moved to town in 1907, but Ray continued to farm until 1913, when he retired from active farming, though he continued his interest in the land and farming.

He was married to Blanche Martin, November 24, 1920, and they established their home in Nevada in July 1921, and have lived here since that time.

Mr. Bodger was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge of Maxwell and Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star in Nevada. While living in Maxwell, he joined and was active in the Presbyterian Church there, and assisted in the construction of their fine church building. He moved his membership to the Central Presbyterian church in Nevada in 1924. That same year he was elected an Elder and served faithfully in that office until his death.

Mr. Bodger's health began to fail over a year ago. Despite all that medical specialists in Nevada, Des Moines and Rochester, Minnesota could do, he passed away at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Sunday, December 16, 1945.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, one brother, F. V. Bodger of Des Moines, three nephews, one niece, a number of cousins and a host of friends who knew him through the years as a staunch friend, an honest man in business matters, and a strong man of God."

Among those here for the funeral were Mr. Bodger's brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Verne Bodger of Des Moines, his cousin and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bodger of Keokuk, three sisters of Mrs. Bodger and their husbands, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Valentine of Cedar Rapids, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burt and daughter Mrs. E. J. Cartwright of Marion; and Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Price of Marion, her uncle, Mr. J. G. Westbrook of Milwaukee, Wis. and Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Prince of Des Moines, former Nevada residents.