Rayma Oda Bailey Eckler
(April 21, 1924 ~ November 10, 2020)
21 April 1924 - 10 November 2020

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Rayma Olive Eckler (Bailey), 96, formerly of Galena, KS. Departed this life for her
heavenly home on November 10, 2020 at Westgate Nursing Center in Wildwood
Ranch Communities, Joplin, MO.

She was born on April 21, 1924 in Galena, KS, she was one of 13 children born to
the late Ora and Ethel (Alford) Bailey. She was united in marriage to Richard
Benson Eckler on April 12, 1941 and they had 3 children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 2 daughters; Patricia Ann
Eckler and Roselee (Eckler) Ochsenbein and her 12 Siblings.

Rayma knew nothing but hard work from a very young age. She farmed with her
husband, she was a licensed cosmetologist and she retired from the City of
Galena, City Clerk's Office at the age of 79. She loved to square dance, playing
games on the computer and all her grandkids. In which she devoted her life to
careing for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rayma is survived by one son, Richard Verle Eckler (wife, Debbie) Riverton, KS; 7
Grandchildren; Eric Eckler (wife, Becki) Carl Junction, MO; John Eckler, Joplin, MO;
Greg Eckler (wife, Stephanie) Lafayette, LA; Perri (Eckler) Bebee, Riverton, KS; Karl
“Bud” Ochsenbein (wife, Shelley) Joplin, MO; Karla Ochsenbein, Galena, KS and
Tammy (Youngblood) Cox (husband, Kyle) Columbus, KS. 13 Great-Grandchildren
and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Derfelt
Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Jeff D Martin will officiate.

Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, KS. Pallbearers will be Eric Eckler, John Eckler, Karl “Bud” Ochsenbein, Skyler Youngblood, Greg Eckler, Davin Crow, Chance Eckler, Ethan Bebee and Bryant Bebee.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 -7:00 pm, Friday, November 20, 2020 at
the funeral home.

Final Resting Place
Oak Hill Cemetery Galena
1501 N Columbus St
Galena, KS 66739

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Rayma Oda Bailey Eckler
(April 21, 1924 ~ November 10, 2020)
21 April 1924 - 10 November 2020

***

GALENA, KANSAS: Rayma O. Eckler, age 96, passed away at 6:30 am, Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at Westgate (sic) Westgate at Wildwood Ranch, Joplin, MO following an illness.

Rayma was born April 24 (sic) [21], 1924 in Galena, KS. She was one of 13 children born to Ora [Wallace] and Maude [Ethel Allford] (Alford) Bailey. She moved to Galena in 1984 from Tennessee Prairie, south of Galena.

She was a licensed Cosmetologist and worked as a hair dresser before moving to Galena. She later became employed at the Water Office for the City of Galena, a job she held for several years. She attended Baptist churches. She was also a member of the Tennessee Prairie woman’s club. She devoted her life to caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rayma was married to Richard Eckler on April 12, 1940 (sic) [1941] in Galena. He preceded her in death on February 3, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents, 2 daughters, Patricia Ann Eckler and Roselee (sic) [Rosalee Eckler) Ochsenbein, 6 brothers and 6 sisters.

Surviving is one son, Richard Eckler (wife, Debbie) Riverton, KS; 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Jeff D. Martin will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, KS.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 -7:00 pm, Friday, November 20, 2020 at the funeral home.

Site has photo.

https://www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Rayma-O-Eckler?obId=18926364#/obituaryInfo

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I would like to know where Olive came from, and/or who said her name was Olive. The only place so far that I've found it as her name was on her sister, Nellies' obituary and of course someone else wrote it. The problem now, it's possible the wrong name is on her death certificate.

One of the last times my sister, Peggy visited Rayma, she asked her what the O was for, and Rayma told her Oda. They talked about her dad and brother both being named Ora. Rayma said she had no idea why she was given the name. Why wouldn't she have told Peggy it was Olive if it was? Hopefully, we will find out.

Rayma should have a birth certificate. Someone should check it. Maybe her entire name is on it.

I had a friend check the Galena Birth Record Book and she sent this.

RE: Rayma.
The Galena birth record has her name as Rayma Alva Bailey, born April 21, 1924, in Galena at 2204 Main to Wallace Bailey and Ethel Allford, reported by Dr. C. H. Jones.

{Know that there can be errors in the book.}

I found the following news articles. If it weren't for the many times I've found her with an O. I'd think this was correct. That, or variations of it, was at that time, a name even for boys.

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GALENA BRIEFS.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wat Bailey, Twenty-first and Main street, Monday morning, a daughter.

Joplin News Herald,
Wednesday, April 23, 1924,
Page: 4 of 14; Column: 3 of 8.
Joplin, Missouri.

Note: It was most likely Twenty-second and Main street, or as the birth record book had, 2204 Main.

Monday is the 21 of April.

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GALENA BRIEFS

A girl baby was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wat Bailey, Twenty-first and Main streets.

Joplin Globe,
Thursday, April 24, 1924,
Page: 4 of 12; Column: 2 of 8.
Joplin, Missouri.

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