Ivan Lay's Obituary
Ivan Lee Lay, son of Roy Ludwen and Nora Bell Woolsey Lay, was born June 25, 1926, near Clear Springs, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday May 8, 2011, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, ten months, and thirteen days.
On April 6, 1982, he was united in marriage to Kathleen A. Herman Greer, and they shared the last twenty-nine years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary; and four sisters, Phyllis Davis, Wanda Smith, Iris Stinson, and Lavone Williams.
Ivan is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of the home; four sons, Rick Lay, of Omaha, Nebraska, Gary Lay, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, John Greer, of Buckner, Missouri, and Larry Greer, of Buffalo, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Leonard Lay, of Odessa, Missouri, Hillard Lay, of Taneyville, Missouri, and Travis Lay, of Cole Camp, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Texas County, Missouri, and then at the age of fifteen, went to Colorado to work at a logging camp. At the age of eighteen, he was drafted into the United States Army on October 3, 1944, and served his country faithfully during World War II. He was stationed in Okinawa and was part of the Asiatic Pacific Theater before being honorably discharged on August 4, 1946. He then worked on the Missouri River installing bridge pilings and dykes. He moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked for Massey Ferguson for several years. During this time, he met and married Mary, and they raised their two sons. The family moved to Independence, Missouri, and Ivan began working for Allis Chalmers in a career that would span twenty-seven years. He next moved to Oak Grove, Missouri for several years, and then to Lake Pomme de Terre. For the last sixteen years, he and Kathleen had made their home in Lebanon, and enjoyed their winters in Florida.
Ivan had professed his faith in Christ and was an active member of Faith Baptist Church in Lebanon.
He had volunteered at the Hughes Senior Center for a number of years. He always saw the good and funny side of everything, and was truly the life of the party. He loved being outdoors as much as possible. He enjoyed playing the harmonica, cards and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he loved dearly.
Ivan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends.
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