Francis Gail "Buck" Cordray, age 82 a life long Belvidere and Boone County resident, died Thursday morning, January 26, 2006, in Lewis Memorial Christian Village, Springfield, IL after a short illness. Buck was born January 4, 1924 in Boone County, Illinois the son of Denver and Mabel (Johanningsmeier) Cordray. Buck married Lora VanVleet on February 14, 1945. Buck was a self employed excavator and co-owner of Cordray Brothers Inc. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Belvidere, Delavan Sportsman's Club, Amateur Trap Shooting Association and Illinois Farm Bureau.Survivors include his wife, Lora of Springfield; daughters, Nancy (Jim) Covert of Springfield, Carol (Jim) Skorzak of Lincoln, IL; son, Randy Cordray of Mt. Vernon, IL, seven Grandchildren and four Great Grandchildren; sisters, Mae Hullinger of Caledonia and Irene Cassidy of Belvidere; brother, James Cordray of Poplar Grove, IL, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Buck is predeceased by his parents; daughter, Janice Simac; great grandchild, Tyler Simac and sister, Fern Osterberg.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association in his memory.