Raymond M. “Ray” Worthington, 81, St. Paul, formerly of Stark, died Monday, January 19, 2009, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.

He was born Jan. 6, 1928, in Xenia to Lester and Zula Walker Worthington. He attended schools in Moran and was a graduate of Moran High School.

He farmed, for a time, before serving in the United States Army in Korea. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home where he worked in construction in the Wichita area. He worked as an ironworker foreman for Eby Construction for 29 years before becoming disabled from a work-related injury in 1985.

He was a member of Friends Home Lutheran Church, Savonburg, and was also a member of the Ironworkers Union. He greatly enjoyed his hobby of woodworking.

He and Barbara Johnson were married April 24, 1949, in Moran. She survives.

In 1970, they moved to Stark, where they lived until becoming residents of Prairie Mission Retirement Village in 2008.

Other survivors include a “son,” Bob Martin and a “daughter,” Debbie Martin, both of Wichita; a son, Danny Worthington; a daughter, Pennie Worthington; four grandchildren, Danielle and Ashley Martin and Heather and Ashley Worthington; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Carl Worthington, Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Worthington.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Friends Home Lutheran Church, Savonburg. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Parsons.

Contributions to Friends Home Lutheran Church, Prairie Mission Retirement Village or Hospice Care of Kansas may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.