Ray W. Eble, 81, Louisburg, died Tuesday, Oct, 7, 2008.

He was born on Jan. 18, 1927, in Olathe to George and Fern Hayne Eble.

He worked for the U.S. Post Office before retiring and devoting his time to his Christmas tree acreage north of Louisburg.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and member of the Louisburg VFW. He was a member of the Louisburg United Methodist Church and a member of both the National and Kansas Christmas Tree Growers Association for 25 years.

Survivors include his wife of five years, Kathlene, Louisburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Lynn Schoening, Sabetha; a son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Glenda Eble, Louisburg; three stepchildren and their spouses, Vincent and Sue Glass, Clermont, Iowa, Gregory and Cheryl Glass, Paso Roblos, Calif., and Kila and Arlen Nuehring, Monona, Iowa; a brother and sister-in-law, George and Helen Eble, Osawatomie; a sister, Jane Switack, Lake Forest, Calif.; two granddaughters, Ally Heller and Amanda Benson; two great-grandsons, Geoffrey and Caleb Heller; a great-grandchild due in February 2009; 10 stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren and a stepgreat-grandchild due in February 2009.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maralyn, in January 1997, and an infant son, Gregory.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church 209 North Metcalf, Louisburg. Burial will be in the Louisburg Cemetery under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Louisburg Chapel.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Olathe Hospice or donor’s choice.