Ray Fosse

Marion E. Ray Fosse, 90, died Monday, April 13, 2009 at his home in Marion. He was born December 3, 1918, in Marion the oldest child of Erwin and Bessie (Gulledge) Fosse. He graduated from Marion High School and the University of Illinois, where he also completed work towards a Masters Degree in History. He taught agriculture and chemistry at Boonville High School, Boonville, Indiana, before being called to serve in World War II. After graduation from Parks Air College, Randolph and Kelly Air Fields, and a stint at teaching new pilots, he served with the Ninth Air Force in England and France. He left the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II as a lieutenant colonel. He resumed his teaching career at Greenfield, Illinois, before becoming involved in the crop-hail insurance industry. He joined CNA Insurance Company (former Continental National American Company), and from there became manager of the Crop Hail Actuarial Association, Chicago, remaining until his temporary retirement in 1983. In 1986, Secretary of Agriculture Richard Lyng requested Mr. Fosse become the head of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., where he served for two years. He retired permanently in 1988 and lived near Goreville before moving to Marion in 2001. Mr. Fosse was a member and past elder and treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church, Marion. He had been a member of several civic organizations in communities where he resided, including Greenfield and Kankakee, Illinois and Boonville, Indiana. Mr. Fosse served as an agricultural advisor to the United States Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Fosse is survived by his wife, the former Lloyd Elisabeth Alexander; his son David and daughter-in-law Jill , of University Park, Maryland; daughter Janet and son-in-law Cloyd Cravens of Marion, grandchildren, Mitchell Boatright, Diane Boatright, Cari Boatright Rerat, and Ellen Cravens; great granddaughter Emily Boatright Field; sister, Ferne Bowen, and brothers Lawrence, James Marvin and Gale Fosse. Deceased are his parents and brothers Wayne, LaVerne and Lester Fosse. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Marion, on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11 A.M. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 9:30 A.M. until time of services. Memorial gifts may be made to the church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.