Ray Hardin Moore

Ray Hardin Moore, 93, of rural New London, Mo. passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2016, at Bickford Cottages in Quincy, Ill. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in New London, Mo. Pastor Brian Ninedorf will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening September 6, 2016, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel in Hannibal. Ray was born November 14, 1922, in Pike County, Mo., a son of Grover and Bessie (Strador) Moore. He married Elsie Sajban on September 5, 1948, in Hannibal, Mo. She survives him. Ray graduated from Frankford High School, class of 1941, and attended Hannibal LaGrange College. He then started his career in farming with his father and continued with his son Roger until his retirement. He loved the land he farmed and was interested his entire lifetime in caring for the land and the creatures on it. As a twelve-year-old, he farmed with a team of horses, and followed the many changes in agriculture throughout the years. He served as board member of the Ralls County Farm Cooperative for several years. Ray was a member of the First Baptist Church of New London, Mo. and served as a deacon. He was involved in various church activities, particularly enjoyed the fellowship of his Sunday School class. In his free time, Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and rooting for the Cardinals. Ray and Elsie celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary a day early on September 4, with a family dinner and an afternoon at the farm, the scene of so many happy family gatherings. He passed away peacefully late in the afternoon. He is survived by his wife Elsie of the home; daughters, Beverly (Dan) Bangert and Nancy (Alan Steigelman) Moore of Quincy, Ill; son, Roger (Eileen) Moore of Columbia, Mo; grandchildren, Stephen (Amy) Bangert and Kevin (Amy) Bangert of Quincy, Ill, Susan (Chris) Decker of Columbus, Neb., Joseph (Lianne) Lohmeyer of Quincy, Ill., Adam (Mandy) Lohmeyer of Lawrence, Ks., Aaron (Sherry) Lohmeyer of Tallahassee, Fl., Jeremy (Praise) Moore of Texas, and Andy (Kimberly) Moore of Shawnee Mission, Ks. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Alex Bangert, Carson and Elsie Bangert, Nathan and Kayla Hightower, Daniel, Noah, Gracie, Rebekah, Leah and Tabitha Decker, Sophia and Owen Lohmeyer, Lindsey and David Zellmer, Maisie Lohmeyer, Clara and William Lohmeyer, Nena Moore, Hunter and Kaylee Moore and one great-great-grandson, Eli Hightower. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his sister, and one grandson. The family would like to thank the staff at Bickford Cottages for the loving care. Pallbearers will be Stephen Bangert, Kevin Bangert, Alex Bangert, Joseph Lohmeyer, Adam Lohmeyer, Aaron Lohmeyer, Jeremy Moore and Andrew Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Dotson, Tim Floweree, Gerald Noland and Ken Nichols. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of New London or the Bickford Cottages Activities Fund, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed at www.smithfuenralhomeandchapel.com .