Ray B. Whitmer, 68, of Licking Township, Clarion County, died Monday morning at his home after an illness.

Born on the family homestead in Licking Township, May 28, 1937, he was the son of the late Roy Richard and Elsie Idella Shoffner Whitmer.

He was a Protestant.

Mr. Whitmer served in the Army Reserves from Aug. 19, 1954, to Aug. 25, 1962, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He was involved with the Army's 323rd Chemical Co., and he served with his late brother, Don Whitmer, in the same unit at the same time.

He worked at the C. & K. Coal Co., now RFI, of Clarion, for more than 36 years as a heavy equipment operator and retired in 2001. He also had worked at Spang and Co. in Butler for a brief time and had been a township supervisor for Licking Township.

On Dec. 24, 1959, he received a diploma from the Interstate Training Service School of Woodworking.

Woodworking was an avocation and hobby he enjoyed for years, and his pieces were recognized around his home and community.

Mr. Whitmer was a member of the Canby Lodge 520 F&AM of St. Petersburg, Clarion County. He enjoyed bird watching, hunting, camping and maintaining manicured grounds around his home.

He is survived by his fiancée, Gloria Fair; a daughter, Debra A. Fye and her husband, Mike, of Sligo; a son, Danny Ray Whitmer and his wife, Tammy, of Elizabeth; and two grandchildren, Autumn Marie Fye and Jesse Dean Whitmer.

Also surviving are two brothers, Roy G. "Bud" Whitmer of Parker and William R. "Bill" Whitmer of East Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

His wife, Ruth Ann Murray Whitmer, whom he married Nov. 23, 1957, died Nov. 28, 1989. He also was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Bennett Whitmer, who died Oct. 11, 2001; a grandson, Patrick Michael Fye, who died Aug. 21, 2005; and two brothers, Richard M. and Donald F. Whitmer.

<B>WHITMER </B>— Friends of Ray B. Whitmer, who died Monday, May 22, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Callensburg Cemetery, Clarion County.