PROPHETSTOWN – J. Raynor Mosher, 94, of Prophetstown, went home to our Lord on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010.

He was born July 2, 1916, the son of John H. Mosher and Mary Alice (Mae) (Curran) Mosher in rural Tampico. His family moved to Prophetstown, where he grew up.

He married Mary E. Verhulst on Jan 27, 1940, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Prophetstown.

Raynor had a great respect for the earth and its creatures.

He loved farming the land and working with his Belgian draft horses. Over the course of his life, he farmed in the Prophetstown, Tampico, Lanark and Milledgeville areas.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tampico. He also was an active member in the Illinois Milk Association, Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois Beef Association, and Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Tampico School Board for 12 years.

Raynor led by example and was a quiet, gentle man.

He was deeply loved by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary of Prophetstown; his children, Martha (Dennis) Sturtevant of Shannon, Rita (David) Thorngren of Milledgeville, John (Peggy) of Prophetstown, Bill (Nora) of Prophetstown, Theresa (Keith) Albers of Pearl City, and Gary (Denise) of Sterling; his daughter-in-law, Diane Mosher of Lyndon; 22 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He also is survived by his sister, Frances Castelein of Prophetstown; and his brother, Joe Mosher of Geneseo.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his son, Lyle.

Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tampico, with Monsignor Thomas Dzielak, celebrant, officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Tampico. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home, 46 Grove St. - Route 78 North, Prophetstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family established memorial funds for Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Prophetstown and St. Mary Catholic Church, Tampico.

Visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.

Obituary also posted on Quad-Cities Online, Dispatch-Argus & Journal Standard.com