February 28, 1936 – October 28, 2024
Arthur “Ray” Lavy, 88, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away peacefully Monday, October 28th, 2024 with wife, Barbara, at his side in the Village Green Health Campus of Greenville, OH.
Ray was born at home, February 28th, 1936 in Bradford, Ohio to Arthur and Edna (Tisor) Lavy. He attended Gettysburg High School and graduated in 1954. Ray was married to the love of his life Barbara (Smith) Lavy for over 70 years raising three children and working the farm together.
Ray dedicated much of his life to agriculture as a passionate farmer. He and his wife, Barbara, started their farm at the homestead on Wise Road in Bradford, Ohio. He held several off-farm jobs in the early years to support his young family and grow his farm. He was a mail carrier, school bus driver, and later a Richland Township trustee for many years. Ray farmed for 50 successful years raising cattle, pigs, chickens, and growing crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and garden vegetables with his favorite being sweet corn. He enjoyed growing a sweet corn “patch” each year big enough to feed family, friends, and neighbors.
Upon retiring from farming in 2000, Ray and Barbara took great pleasure in spending their winters in Haines City, Florida. There they built a community of friends spending 20 years as snowbirds. Ray loved being able to fish year-round and went fishing almost daily in Florida with his many fishing buddies. Each spring he returned to Ohio in time to go mushroom hunting and fish his favorite local waters. In his spare time Ray loved to spend it with family and friends hosting many family fish fries, sweet corn dinners, playing cards, and countless holiday gatherings. He was a feisty Euchre player, full of smiles and laughter. Ray was very proud of all his grandchildren and took great delight in watching them play sports and supporting them in their endeavors.
Ray lived in Darke County, Ohio his entire life, fostering a vast network of family, friends, and community. He was a lifetime member of the Oakland Church of the Brethren and held great value in helping others. Ray’s lifelong agricultural passion led him to serve on the Darke County Fair Board for 19 years and as acting President for 9 years. As a 4-H advisor he enjoyed helping his children, grandchildren, and countless others bring animals, crops, and 4-H projects to the county fair, enriching the agricultural traditions of the area.
Ray is survived by his wife Barbara (Smith) Lavy. Children: Dixie Little (Chris), Roswell, GA; Dick (Pam) Lavy, Greenville, OH; and Betsy Nisonger (Michael, deceased), Versailles, OH. Grandchildren: Seth (Calleigh) Nisonger; Ryan (Erin)Nisonger; Kyle (Alison) Nisonger; Ian (Kelly) Nisonger; Joshua (Danielle) Lavy; Jacob (Jessica) Lavy; Joseph (Alivia Setka) Little; Arthur (Meredith) Little; and Chelsa (Adolfo) Vega; as well as 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Ray is also survived by his sisters Mary Valentine (Franklin, deceased) Gettysburg, OH; Della Burch (Richard, deceased) Bradford, OH; and Evelyn
Kemper (Les, deceased) Celina, OH; Sisters-in-Law Sharon Lucas (Jack, deceased) Dayton, OH; Carol Smith (John, deceased) Winchester, IN; Jane Smith (A.L., deceased) Fort Myers, Florida and many nieces and nephews. Ray will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday November 2, 2024 in the Oakland Church of the Brethren 8058 Horatio-Harris Creek Road Bradford, Ohio with Pastor Bob Bitner officiating. Burial will follow in the Harris Creek Cemetery Bradford, Ohio. The family will receive friends on Friday November 1, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio. The Greenville Masonic Lodge will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service at 8:00 PM Friday in the funeral home.
It is the wishes of the family that Memorial Contributions be given to the Oakland Church of the Brethren 8058 Horatio-Harris Creek Road Bradford, Ohio or the Cancer Association of Darke County 1111 Sweitzer Street, Suite C, Greenville, Ohio, 45331.
Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com.