Ray E. Karnes, 86, of North Main Street passed away late Tuesday afternoon at Newhaven Court assisted living in Center Township following an illness.

Born in Allegheny Township, April 3, 1922, he was the son of the late William T. and Rachel Grant Karnes.

Ray was a graduate of the former Eau Claire High School and later graduated from Grove City College with a degree in accounting and business.

He was employed for several years as accountant and payroll officer for the Sunbeam Coal Co. and then began employment as business manager for the Moniteau School District at West Sunbury, from which he retired.

Ray was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. He was a life member and past commander of the VFW Post 7073 of Parker and was a life member of the American Legion Post 117 of Butler.

He was a life member of the Parker City-Allegheny Valley F&AM Lodge 521 of Parker and was a past master of the former Allegheny Valley Lodge at Emlenton. He was also a member of the New Castle Consistory, the Syria Shrine of Pittsburgh and the Butler Caravan of Syria Shriners.

Surviving are three stepsons, James Rodgers and his wife, Renate, of Humble, Texas, Harold "Gene" Rodgers and Carolyn Rodgers of Butler and Donald Rodgers and his wife, Donna, of Harrisville; eight step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Hasenflu Rodgers, who he married May 16, 1970, in Winchester, Va.; a brother, Harold "Button" Karnes; a sister, Helen Karnes Fritchman; and an infant brother.

<B>KARNES</B> — Friends of Ray E. Karnes, who died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Parker Presbyterian Cemetery.Parker City-Allegheny Valley Lodge 521 will conduct memorial services at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.A veteran's service, conducted by VFW Post 7073 and American Legion Post 598, will be at 9:45 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.Online condolences may be submitted at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.