Raymond A. Mellmer, 81, Reeder, died Sunday, January 29, 2012 near his farm north of Bucyrus doing what he liked best, driving around the country. Raymond’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 3, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, with Fr. Joseph Chipson as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military honors provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post #66. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Raymond was born September 8, 1930 at Havelock, the son of Mike J. and Lena (Magelky) Mellmer. He moved to a farm near the Rainy Butte in 1942. In 1944 he moved to the present farm north of Bucyrus. He attended school at Havelock until 1942, then attended Darling Springs School through the 8th Grade. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1951. He was stationed in the state of Washington and traveled from Washington to Alaska several times. He was honorably discharged in March 1953.

Raymond married the love of his life, AlVera Jung on June 15, 1953. They lived on the family farm until 1964, when he moved his family to California, later returning in 1965. They purchased the farm from his parents in 1966. He drove school bus for Hettinger School for several years while farming. He retired from farming in 2001. Raymond enjoyed traveling the country side and visiting with family and friends in Reeder and New England. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed shooting pool and playing pinochle.

Raymond is survived by his two sons, Ronnie Mellmer, New England, and Randy (LouAnn) Mellmer, New England; his daughter, Lanetta Lutz, Dickinson; five grandchildren, Jeremy Mellmer, Cary Mellmer, Pam (Kyle) Zimmerman, Michael (Kari) Lutz, and Dakota Myran; seven great-grandchildren, Jordan, Kjerste and Regan Lutz, Kaitlyn and Brooklyn Myran, Ryder Fink, and Briella Mellmer; two brothers, Rueben and Roy Mellmer, Dickinson; one sister, Ruth Fitterer, New England; four sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law, Richard (Glenora) Jung, Agnes Dobitz, Marlene (Jim) Mastin, Veronica Faye (Glenn) Cox; Many nieces and nephews; and his special buddy, Duane Wobig. He was preceded in death by his wife, AlVera in December 1998; his parents; mother and father-in-law, Steven and Velma Jung; three brothers-in-law, Richard Dobitz, Douglas Jung, and Wilfred Fitterer; two sisters-in-law, Alice Mellmer and Marlyes Mellmer; and one son-in-law, Durand G. Lutz.