Raymond R. Cope, 89 of Philo, died at 9:45 p.m. Sunday June 26, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 1 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana with burial at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Rev. Michael Smith will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Masonic Rites accorded by Homer Masonic Lodge No. 199 at 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Cope was born April 11, 1922 in Westville, the son of Boyd and Bessie (Cowell) Cope. He married Martha Josephine Van Brunt and she preceded him in death on March 5, 2000. He is also preceded in death by a sister, two brothers, a cousin, two grandchildren and a great grandchild. He is survived by sons; James Russell Cope (Thresa) of Urbana and Roger Dale Cope of Champaign, daughters; Carol Beth Cope of Champaign, Evelyn Marie Bowman (Mark) of Ballwin, MO and Sandra Lee Cope of South Roxana, brothers; Wayne Cope (Dorothy) of Sidney and Dale Cope (Irene) of Littleton, CO , a cousin; Ida May Lodas of Westville, twelve Grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Mr. Cope graduated from Homer High School and was a farmer. In addition to farming he worked for awhile at the Government Bin Sites and was a Building Service Worker at the U of I. He was a fifty six year member of Homer Masonic Lodge No. 199, showed cattle and enjoyed riding on the Rail Road cattle cars, loved animals and was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Memorials may be made to the Homer Masonic Lodge or to the donor's choice.