Raymond J. Babcock

PORTAGE –  Raymond J. Babcock, age 76, of Portage, died on Friday, April 13, 2012, at Northview Manor in Portage.

Raymond was born on September 4, 1935 in Poynette, the son of Jess and Rena (Abel) Babcock.  He grew up in Dekorra township and his relatives include the Babcock, Morgan, Thurber, Wolfgram and Woodard families.  Raymond was a Sergeant First Class with the U.S. Army in Hawaii from 1958 to 1960, and with the Wisconsin National Guard in Portage and Madison for 33 years.  He had worked for the Del Monte Corporation for 20 years, and had worked as a mechanic.  Raymond loved the outdoors.

He is survived by his sons, Raymond Babcock, Jr., Waupun, Daniel Babcock, Portage, and Mitchell Babcock, Medford, Oregon;  his daughters, Janie Williams, Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Leonida (Sean) Heller, Medford, Oregon;  the mother of his children, Helen Woodard Puckett, Medford, Oregon;  his grandchildren, Darin Babcock, Medford, Oregon, Kevin, Michael and Chase Cassidy, Shelbyville, Tennessee, Brian and Steven Williams, Shelbyville, Tennessee;  his brother, Mayne (Arlene) Babcock;  his sister, Rosella (Willard) Gunderson;  his friend, Suzi Salzwedel, Pardeeville;  other near relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.  Burial will follow in Inch Cemetery, with military graveside services provided by Poynette area veterans.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.