Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Blocher, Raymond "Ray" Carl March 5, 2026 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net June 22, 2026, 5:03 pm Hasting's Reminder - Saturday March 14, 2026 RAYMOND CARL BLOCHER, age 86, passed away on March 5, 2026. He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 64 years. Born January 10, 1940 in Woodland,MI to Robert & Marjorie (Adams) Blocher. He worked on his father's farm during high school. After graduating from Woodland High School, he worked at JC Penney's store in Hastings, until he entered the U.S. Army on November 4, 1958 until October 26, 1960. He was battalion bugler of the 4th Armed Division in Ulm, Germany. After he arrived home, he went to work at Smith Bros. Elevator in Woodland. Then went to Machine Production in Lake Odessa. On August 12, 1961, he married Karolyn King from Caledonia. They moved to his grandparent's farm, John & Grace Blocher's which they later purchased on Coats Grove Road in Woodland. This is now a centennial farm. He farmed and worked at Keeler Brass of Lake Odessa. On October 4 1965 he went to Fisher Body General Motors in Lansing. He worked 17 years on the assembly line, was an out of town driver for 11 years and finished the last seven years on the body haul, transporting the car bodies from Fisher Body to Oldsmobile, retiring with 35 years on July 3, 2000. He built a new home for his family in 1974. He was a life member of the VFW Post 4461 in Lake Odessa and a life member of the Eagles in Woodland. He farmed his farm while working in the factory and enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, his motor home, motorcycle, tractor shows, and his antique tractor collection. Most of all, in later years when his health began to fail, he loved his John Deere Gator. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, and parents. He is survived by his wife, Karolyn; three children; Thomas Blocher and friend Rusty Gretzner of Woodland, His children Kristopher (Melanie) their children Joshua & Violet of Battle Creek. Blake & Andrea Blocher, their children Jacob 7 Kaleb of Nashville. Daughter Barbara Blocher of Dowling, her children Laura (Greg) Converse of Richland, Children Mariah, Oriana, & Erica. Also daughter Jane Rayner & friend Bob of Sterling Heights, Son Robert (Becky) Blocher of Hastinss. Children Nicholas (Emily) of Freeport and their children Hudson & Heath. Daughter Olivia & Jerod Kent of Freeport, their children Benjamin & John. Also survived by brother Steven (Christine)Blocher of Vermontville. Sister Sharon & Gary Ackley of Woodland. Many nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers included grandchildren; kris, Blake and Nick Blocher, Nephews; Budd King, Steven Jr and Scott Blocher. Funeral services were held at Koops Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Ray was laid to rest in Woodland Memorial Park, Woodland,MI. Donations to the Woodland Eagles Auxiliary 3782 or VFW post 4461 Jackson Mutchler in Ray's name wouod be appreciated. Additional Comments: U.S. Army Vietnam Woodland Memorial Park, Woodland Mich. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/b/blocher49452nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb