Remembering Ray Edwards

Photo of Ray Edwards

Ray Harrison Edwards

October 7, 1944 – February 7, 2024

Obituary

Ray Harrison Edwards, age 79, of Lancaster, Ohio, was with his wife, Diane, when he passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Ray was born on October 7, 1944, to parents Victor and Janet Edwards of Warrenville, Illinois. After graduating from Wheaton Central High School in 1962, he went on to earn a degree in mathematics (with a minor in biology) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

In August of 1966, Ray married his college sweetheart, Diane, and they were blessed with sons Mark and Michael.

Ray's life-long entrepreneurial experience began with farming a small plot of land—raising sweet corn to sell in inner-city Chicago. Ray worked as a typesetter/proofreader with his father in Chicago, taught junior high math and science at Kaneland and Marengo schools, and sold audiovisual equipment before becoming self-employed as “The Bait Man” in Hinckley, Illinois. Based on this experience, he authored The Nightcrawler Manual.

Ray had many interests including scouting (Eagle Scout), piano, fishing, camping, family trips, kites, computers, music, wildflowers, and photography. After retiring in 2002, Ray became an avid gardener and cook and enjoyed ballroom dancing with Diane.

Ray always had a good joke or riddle ready for the next family gathering. Gramps/Pappy liked spending time with his family, including helping with home improvement projects, hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail, and attending his grandchildren’s many sports, music, and drama performances.

Ray had faith in God, and we trust he is with his Heavenly Father now.

Ray will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Diane Edwards of Lancaster, Ohio; sister, Carol Esser (Paul) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; son, Mark Edwards (Beverly) of Worthington, Ohio; son, Michael Edwards (Sheila) of Lancaster, Ohio; and grandchildren: Gloria and Lake Edwards of Lancaster, Ohio, Skylar Edwards, Cayla Weston, and Simone Edwards of Worthington, Ohio.

Obituary

Ray Harrison Edwards, age 79, of Lancaster, Ohio, was with his wife, Diane, when he passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Ray was born on October 7, 1944, to parents Victor and Janet Edwards of Warrenville, Illinois. After graduating from Wheaton Central High School in 1962, he went on to earn a degree in mathematics (with a minor in biology) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

In August of 1966, Ray married his college sweetheart, Diane, and they were blessed with sons Mark and Michael.

Ray's life-long entrepreneurial experience began with farming a small plot of land—raising sweet corn to sell in inner-city Chicago. Ray worked as a typesetter/proofreader with his father in Chicago, taught junior high math and science at Kaneland and Marengo schools, and sold audiovisual equipment before becoming self-employed as “The Bait Man” in Hinckley, Illinois. Based on this experience, he authored The Nightcrawler Manual.

Ray had many interests including scouting (Eagle Scout), piano, fishing, camping, family trips, kites, computers, music, wildflowers, and photography. After retiring in 2002, Ray became an avid gardener and cook and enjoyed ballroom dancing with Diane.

Ray always had a good joke or riddle ready for the next family gathering. Gramps/Pappy liked spending time with his family, including helping with home improvement projects, hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail, and attending his grandchildren’s many sports, music, and drama performances.

Ray had faith in God, and we trust he is with his Heavenly Father now.

Ray will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Diane Edwards of Lancaster, Ohio; sister, Carol Esser (Paul) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; son, Mark Edwards (Beverly) of Worthington, Ohio; son, Michael Edwards (Sheila) of Lancaster, Ohio; and grandchildren: Gloria and Lake Edwards of Lancaster, Ohio, Skylar Edwards, Cayla Weston, and Simone Edwards of Worthington, Ohio.