Raymond Earl Myers, 92, of Carthage, IL, a kind and gentle man, passed on August 18, 2010 at 11:55 P.M. at the Memorial Hospital, Carthage. Raymond the son of Charles and Myrtle Griffith Myers, was born in their farm house near Colusa, IL on October 13, 1917, the youngest of six children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Beryle (Onan) Hollingsworth and Vernice (Sheldon) Bross, and his brothers, Clifford (Christine), Vernon Dutch(Dorotha) and an infant boy. He attended Webster, a one room country school, and Colusa High School. He helped his family on the farm, and after high school, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and also worked for the Adrian General Store.

On June 21, 1939, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorotha Riley. They moved to Mt. Sterling, IL, where he worked for 25 years for Prairie Farms Creamery, serving as field manager for many years. He is survived by his wife and four sons, David (Anne) of Oswego, IL, William (Frances) of Lincolnshire, IL, John of Chicago, IL, and Jack (Donna) of Arlington Heights, IL. In 1964, they moved back to Hancock County, settling in Carthage, where Raymond sold insurance and mutual funds for John Hancock Life Insurance Company as well as selling real estate. In the mid-1960s, he and his brother, Dutch, were the founders and developers of Sherwood Oaks, a subdivision north of Carthage.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Michael (Brittan), Nicholas, Kristin (Eric) Riger, Erica and Patrick.

He was an elder and board president of the First Christian Church of Carthage, and an active member of the Carthage Lions Club, from which he received Lion of the Year in 2007, after forty years of service. He also served as an alderman of the Carthage City Council, a board member of RSVP and a board member of the Adams County Council for Senior Citizens (a five county organization).

He and his wife, Dorotha, delivered Meals on Wheels for twenty years, well into their 80s. He served on the board of the Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum for 10 years, during the time they expanded into their current building. Raymond was instrumental in creating the Carthage Industrial Development Corporation when Methode Electronics first came to Carthage and served as secretary for four years.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a man deeply devoted to his church and community, and ever mindful of the needs of others.

The family want to especially thank the staff at the Hancock County Nursing Home and Memorial Hospital for the loving care given to Raymond.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2010 at the Myers Cemetery near Colusa, with Pastor Ray McClaren officiating.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, everyone is welcome to attend a visitation with the family at the First Christian Church in Carthage from 8:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. with a memorial service to be held at 10:30 A.M. at the church with Pastor Ray McClaren officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Carthage or the Hancock County Nursing Home.

Banks & Beals Funeral Home, LaHarpe, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.