Raymond P. Deere

Raymond P. Deere, 91, of Urbana, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2018 in Mercy McAuley Center, Urbana.
He was born November 3, 1926 in Urbana, OH, a son of Homer and Alice (Ross) Deere. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater. He retired as a mechanic for Trenor Motors after 37 years of dedicated service.
Raymond enjoyed dancing, which he started at the age of 57. He enjoyed both ballroom dancing and country line dancing and served as a dance instructor in Urbana, Springfield and Dayton. He was an avid collector of trains and many other items and was a flea market vendor in both Champaign and Clark counties.
In addition, Raymond was very active in the Urbana-Champaign County Senior Citizens Center and served on the Board of Directors for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Nora Lee (Godwin) Deere; sons, Ronald (Melanie) Deere and Roger (Debbie) Deere; grandchildren, Brendan (Angi) Deere, John (Beth) Deere, Courtney (Tricia) Deere, Kara (Roger) Stephens, Jessica Deere and Justin (Abby) Deere; numerous great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; brother, Leonard Deere; sister-in-law, Joanne Cave; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Deere; sister-in-law, June Deere; granddaughter, Stephanie Deere; great-grandson, Blake Deere.
Family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 in the WALTER & LEWIS FUNERAL HOME, Urbana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Urbana, with Father Dan Hunt, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana.
Memorial contributions in Raymond’s memory made be made to the Senior Center Building Fund, 701 S. Walnut St., Urbana, OH 43078 or PAWS Animal Shelter, 1535 W. U.S. Route 36, Urbana, OH 43078.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.