Peoria Journal Star, March 27, 2003, Page: B05

Havana - Ray K. Braden, 81, of 346 S. High St. died at 3:21 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Havana Healthcare Center.

Born Feb. 19, 1922, in Benton to Burleigh Wade and Lora Mae Wiggins Braden, he married Charlotte Bandy on Nov. 23, 1946, in Decatur. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Ron (and Jo) of Havana; two daughters, Kris (and Bob) Simmers of Havana and Sharon (and Bill) Leezer of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren; three step grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; and a sister, June Hackett of Normal.

He was preceded in death by three brothers.

He sold Kirby vacuum cleaners for 32 years. He also worked at Mason District Hospital for several years.

He was a member of First Baptist Church.

A Marine veteran of World War II, he was a member of VFW Post 6408.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The Rev. David Bird will officiate. There will be no visitation. Hurley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to VFW Post 6408.

State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, March 27, 2003, Page: 35

Havana - Ray K. Braden, 81, of Havana died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Havana Healthcare Center.

He was born Feb. 19, 1922, in Benton, the son of Burleigh Wade and Lora Mae Wiggins Braden. He married Charlotte Bandy in 1946 in Decatur.

Mr. Braden was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II and a self-employed businessman, selling Kirby Vacuum Cleaners for 32 years. He worked at Mason District Hospital in Havana for several years. He was a member of First Baptist Church and VFW Post 6408, both in Havana.

Survivors: wife, Charlotte; a son, Ron (wife, Jo) Braden of Havana; two daughters, Kris (husband, Bob) Simmers of Havana and Sharon (husband, Bill) Leezer of Phoenix; five grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, June Hackett of Normal.

Graveside services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Havana, the Rev. David Bird officiating.

Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Transcribed by: Sara Hemp