Rev. Ray Essary

Broughton

Rev. Ray Essary, 71, of Broughton, passed away at 12:36 a.m. on Nov. 17, 2004 at Ferrell Hospital, Eldorado.

He was a retired farmer.

Rev. Essary was born July 24, 1933 in Hamilton County to Ralph and Ersie (Irvin) Essary. On July 3, 1955 he married Mary E. Pruitt who survives.

Visitation was Nov. 18 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Funeral services were Nov. 19 at the funeral home.

Rev. Mike Alexander and Rev. Raymond Trout officiated. Burial was in Richardson Hill Cemetery near Dahlgren with graveside military rites by the American Legion Post No. 106.

Rev. Essary is survived by his wife, Mary E. Essary of Broughton, two sons, Russel Essary and David and wife Lisa Essary all of Broughton; two daughters, Joyce Denham, Tammy and husband Tim Denham all of McLeansboro, four sisters, Josephine and husband Thompson Maulding of McLeansboro, Irene and husband Bill Phelps of Olney, Betty Stout of Eldorado, Norma and husband Charles Toothman of Broughton; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was a current minister of Full Gospell Church at Broughton, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

(Submitted by Silvetta Parsons - from the Times Leader)