Services
Obituary
Raynard H. Southard, 99, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Private services will be held.
Raynard Harrison, son of Dorsey and Gladys (Mechem) Southard, was born on January 19, 1925 in rural Wright County Iowa. Raynard graduated from Clarion High School in 1943.
On December 30, 1951, Raynard was united in marriage to Lois L. Keeling at the Church of Christ in Clarion. To this union, two children were born, Debra Jean and Mark Ray.
In December 1948, Raynard was drafted into the Army. He was released into the reserves in December 1949. Raynard was called back in for the Korean War, where he was a construction engineer until he was released back into the reserves in December 1951. Raynard was honorably discharged in September 1953. In amongst that, he started farming in 1950. Raynard retired from farming in 1994 and they moved to Clarion.
Raynard was a member of the Church of Christ and served as a deacon and trustee for many years. He also served on the REC board and the county extension board. Raynard was a member of the Clarion VFW.
Raynard and Lois enjoyed square dancing, camping, and wintering in Arizona. He was a horseback rider and his family belonged to a local saddle club for years.
Raynard is survived by his two children Debra (Jerry) Johnson of Galt and Mark (Dana) Southard of Clarion; grandchildren Greg Johnson, Shallon (Josh) Weis, Mandy (Charles) Lewis, Krystle (Derek) Holmes, and Tasha (Jared) Brantner; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers Edward (Helen) Southard and Leslie Southard; sister Margie Logan; and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2020; parents; sister Doris Ann Holmes; infant brother George Southard; brothers-in-law Verlyn Keeling and Vern Logan; and grandson Michael Johnson.