Ray Dean Buchanan, 73, of Streator, IL passed away on Friday June 22, 2012 at Heritage Manor in Streator, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles with Rev. Bill Clark of the Marseilles Church of the Nazarene officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A private burial of his ashes will be held in Fort Morgan, CO at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Ray was born January 2, 1939 in Emporia, KS to Louemma(Brenton) and Elmer Buchanan, Sr. He was raised in Colorado and later moved to Illinois to become an electrician. He has proudly been a member of the I.B.E.W. Local Union #176 for many years.

He is survived by his children, Edward (Jessica) Buchanan of Fredericksburg, VA, Loucinda (Steve) Hale of Manhattan, IL, Suzanne (Dario) Vitela of Corpus Christi, TX, and Daniel (Cari) Buchanan of Reedsburg, WI, along with nine loving grandchildren and a recently born great-grandson; a brother, Howard “Doug” Buchanan of Marseilles and a sister, Mary Lou Wright of Fort Morgan, CO. He is also survived by his ex-wife of 25 years, Linda Buchanan Miller, and his current wife of 19 years, Sue Buchanan, along with numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Robert, Elmer, William, James, Brenton and Frank Buchanan and one sister, Mildred Havens.

Ray’s children would like to express their sincere gratitude to Ray’s nieces, Sandy Rosenberger & Carol Baxter, for the loving support and dedication that they have given him throughout his sickness over the past few years. The love and kindness that they gave to Ray throughout this very difficult time is deeply appreciated. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff of Heritage Manor in Streator, IL for their support, dedication and kindness.