Ray Emerson Eby, 96, of Greenville, passed away on Monday, December 3, 2018 at the Brookdale Senior Living Center in Greenville.
He was born March 28, 1922 in Darke County, Ohio, to the late Perry and Amy (Royer) Eby. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Norma Eby, in 2014; his brother, Lowell Eby; his sisters, Lois Harsh and Naomi Cain.
Ray was a 1942 graduate of Hollansburg High School. After graduation, he returned to the family farm and soon joined the Army Air Corp. After returning home from World War II, Ray started the Eby Farm Service in Glen Karn, Ohio. Ray’s love for flying continued when he purchased his first plane and begun to manage the Treaty City Airport in Greenville. In the early 1960s, he purchased the East Richmond Airport in Richmond, IN. Soon after, Ray joined Henny Penny as a company pilot. He then moved to North Carolina where he was a pilot for Holly Farms, now known as Tyson Foods, until he retired in 1984. However, Ray never really retired. He continued to fly his family around in a home-built airplane, served his community as a handyman, and enjoyed rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds. Ray enjoyed spending his down time gardening, woodworking, and fishing. Ray and his wife returned to Greenville in 2004. Ray was a faithful follower of Christ, where he was most recently a member of the Bible Fellowship Church in Greenville.
Ray is survived by his son, Dean (Chris) Eby of Greenville; his daughter Barbara (Ed) Reck of Columbus; four grandchildren, Tricia ( Brandon) Fellers of Troy, Kelly (Brian) Freed of Columbus, Robyn (Chad Kennedy) Flanery of Greenville, and Amy (Jeremy) Lloyd of Lancaster, Ohio; his great grandchildren, Alexia West, Hayley Branch, Michael Fellers, Britney Branch, Macy Fellers, Ethan Flanery, and Eli Flanery; step-great grandchildren, Lauryn Lloyd and Grace Lloyd; his sister-in-law, Nola Oler; and special friend, Nancy Cotten.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Bible Fellowship Church, 7757 Greenville-Celina Rd, Greenville, Ohio 45331 with Pastor Chris Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmound Cemetery in New Madison, Ohio.
Ray’s family and friends may visit from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Heartland Hospice of Dayton, 580 Lincoln Park Blvd #320, Kettering, OH 45429 or the Bible Fellowship Church, 7757 Greenville-Celina Rd, Greenville, Ohio 45331.
Ray’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Brookdale Senior Living and Heartland Hospice for all the comfort and care given to our Dad.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.tributefuneralhomes.com.
