Garden Prairie, IL

Jay Cordray, 83 of Garden Prairie, IL passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.  Jay was born April 26, 1934 in Garden Prairie the son of Harold and Martha (Johaninngsmeier) Cordray.  He attended Lawrenceville Grade School and graduated from Belvidere High School.  Jay married Mary Starr on December 23, 1955 in Belvidere.  He retired from the Belvidere Fire Department as fire chief in 1989, having joined the department in 1965.  Jay also built homes and was a lifelong farmer. He loved to hunt and fish and spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jay is loved and will be missed by his wife, Mary; children, Debbie Smith of Garden Prairie, David (Dana) Cordray of Garden Prairie, John (Donna) Cordray of Belvidere; grandchildren, Heather (Mark Haley) Cordray, Holly (Chad Revolinski) Cordray, Derek Cordray, Brandy (Jason) Catalani, Andrew (Stephanie) Cordray, Megan (Adam Fowler) Smith, Morgan Smith; nine great-grandchildren.  Jay is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Raddatz and Joyce Cordray; sons, Harold Cordray and Michael Cordray; son in-law Jeff Smith.  The family acknowledges the excellent care given by Dr. Thomas Michalsen, and all the doctors, nurses and staff of OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, to Jay and his family.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Avenue, Belvidere, IL with Rev. Monty Fox, pastor of First United Methodist Church officiating. Memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in care of Jay's family for a memorial to be established at a later date.  To light a candle or to share a memory, please visit AndersonFCS.com