Ray Oldham

Ray Oldham, age 92, of Neillsville, WI, the last living member of the William & Emma Oldham family, died Monday, February 14, 2011 at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.Ray Oldham was born on December 3, 1918 on the family farm in the town of Pine Valley the son of William Aaron and Emma Caroline (Boll) Oldham. On June 22, 1939 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Boon in Neillsville. Ray farmed and also worked for Boon Construction. He and Dorothy also owned and operated Ray & Dorothys Bar in downtown Neillsville during the 1970s.After retiring, he worked with Bertie Schultz doing roof repair.Ray lived on the family farm his entire life before moving to the nursing home seven years ago. He loved his flower gardens, hunting and traveling.He is survived by three daughters, Erdine Payne, Mary Ann (Robert) Langreck and Linda (Larry) Polzin all of Neillsville, five sons, Gale Oldham of Rockway Beach, MO, Jack Oldham of Black River Falls, WI, Dennis (Linda) Oldham of Neillsville, WI, Eugene (Julia) Oldham of Bonifay, FL and LeRoy (Vicki) Oldham of Neillsville, WI, 35 Grandchildren, 64 Great Grandchildren and 17 Great Great Grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dorothy Mae in 1998, a son, James Robert Oldham in 2001, four brothers, William, LaFayette, Charles and twin brother, Joe, two sisters, Gennevieve Kalsow and Daisy Rodman, three half-sisters, Gertie Borgen, Viola Williams and Jessie Bloomer and a half-brother, Guy Oldham.A Memorial Service for Ray will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the Gesche Funeral Home.