A. Ray Blakney, 59, of Claremont rt. 1, well-known Richland County farmer, died unexpectedly at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 1975 at the family residence.

He was born Feb. 2, 1915 in Champaign County, son of the late Gideon and Ella Tarpley Blakney.

Surviving are his wife, Frances Shearer Blakney; a daughter, Mrs. Bob (Jo Ann) Hataway of Claremont; a granddaughter, Heather Hataway; two brothers, Stanley and Levi, both of Ft. Worth, Texas; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Baltimore and Miss Ruby Blakney, both of Olney.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Noble and Glenn, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Blakney was a member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church, which he joined at a young age, and a member of the Richland County Farm Bureau.

Services in the Memorial Chapel of the Summers Funeral Home, with Rev. Greg Courtright officiating. Interment in Crest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)