Obit: Oldham, Ray (1918 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Oldham, Boll, Boon Payne, Langreck Polzin, Kalsow, Rodman, Borgen, Williams, Bloomer, Bjerke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 16, 2011

Oldham, Ray (3 December 1918 - 14 February 2011)

Ray Oldham, 92, of Neillsville, the last living member of the William and Emma Oldham family, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at  the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.

Ray Oldham was born Dec. 3, 1918, on the family farm in the Town of Pine Valley, the son of William Aaron and Emma Caroline (Boll) Oldham.  He was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Boon June 22, 1939, in Neillsville.  Ray farmed and also worked for Boon Construction. He and Dorothy also owned and operated Ray & Dorothy’s Bar in downtown Neillsville during the 1970s.  After retiring, he worked with Bertie Schultz doing roof repair.

Ray lived on the family farm his entire life before moving to the nursing home seven years ago.  He loved his flower gardens, hunting and traveling. 

He is survived by three daughters: Erdine Payne, Mary Ann (Robert) Langreck and Linda (Larry) Polzin, all of Neillsville; five sons: Gale Oldham of Rockway Beach, MO, Jack Oldham of Black River Falls, Dennis (Linda) Oldham of Neillsville, Eugene (Julia) Oldham of Bonifay, FL, and LeRoy (Vicki) Oldham of Neillsville; 35 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy Mae in 1998; a son, James Robert Oldham in 2001; four brothers, William, LaFayette, Charles and twin brother, Joe; two sisters, Genevieve Kalsow and Daisy Rodman; three half-sisters, Gertie Borgen, Viola Williams, and Jessie Bloomer; and a half-brother, Guy Oldham.

A Memorial Service for Ray will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.  Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate.  Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral home is assisting Ray’s family with funeral arrangements.