Lawrence Ray Radliff's Obituary
Vandalia - Lawrence Ray Radliff 77, of Vandalia passed away at
9:31 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2015 at home.
A service to celebrate Ray's life will be held at 10:00am,
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Unity Baptist Church Vandalia, Hwy
185 location (formerly Temple Baptist Church) Burial will follow in
Griffith Cemetery Brownstown, Il with military honors.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm, Monday, July 27, 2015 at
Unity Baptist Church Vandalia, Hwy 185 location and 1 hour prior to
services Tuesday. Masonic Services will be held at 7:00pm,
Monday, July 28, 2015 at Unity Baptist Church Vandalia, Hwy 185
location. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital
for Children or Friends and Families of Fayette County
Hospital. Hohlt & File Funeral Home of Vandalia in charge
of arrangements, online condolences available at www.hohltandfilefh.com
Mr. Radliff was born in Fayette County in 1938, one of seven
children. He attended schools in Four Mile, Brownstown and
Vandalia. After graduation, he served four years in the
United States Air Force, then returned home to attend
Millikin University in Decatur, where he was a member of the 1961
undefeated Millikin University Big Blue football team, receiving a
bachelor of science degree in economics and finance in 1964.
He later served on the Board of Trustees for Millikin
University.
Upon graduation, Mr. Radliff worked for a family oil business.
In 1971, Radliff Drilling Company, an oil exploration and
production company, was founded by Mr. Radliff. In 1977, the
business was incorporated. The company sold its equipment in
1994, but still continued to explore and drill wells.
In 1971, Mr. Radliff was appointed to the board of directors of
The First National Bank of Vandalia. Mr. Radliff was elected
to the position of president and chief executive office of the bank
from late 1987-1990. He was elected as chairman of the board
of directors in 1988 and served through 2010
He was very active in community, political and petroleum related
endeavors.. His earlier involvement includes: President
of the Vandalia Jaycees, a two-term member of the City Council,
member of the Vandalia School Board, member of the Economic
Development Commission and retired member of the Vandalia Fire
Department, Moose, Eagles and AMVETS, 51-year member of the
Illinois Oil and Gas Association and served as president of the
organization from 1975-1977. In 1972, he was appointed by
Governor Walker as the Official Representative of the State of
Illinois to the Interstate Oil Compact Commission, rising to
Vice-Chairman under Governor Edwards of Louisiana.
A special interest of Mr. Radliff is the Shriners. In
2001, he became the Potentate of Ainad temple, which includes all
of Southern Illinois. The critical goal of the Shriners is helping
children with special needs. In 2002, he served as Chairman
of the Board of Governors of Shriner's Hospital for Children in St.
Louis.
Apart from his work and community activities, he has flown hot
air balloons and sky-dived. He enjoyed water and snow skiing,
along with boating. He also performed in and drove for the
Tom and Larry Holden Thrill Shows.
Mr. Radliff has three sons, Jon, (Mary) of Traverse City,
Michigan; Mike, (Robin Lowry) of Vandalia, Illinois; and Bryan,
(Lisa Peyton) of Layton Utah. He has eightgrandchildren,
Christopher Radliff, (Kristen), of Niceville Florida; Brittney
Radliff Whisman, (John) of El Paso, Texas; and Sabrina Radliff of
Layton, Utah; Lauren Radliff Sczurko (Aaron) of O'Fallon,
Illinois and Luke Radliff of Chicago, Illinois, ten
great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren Jessica Gapinski;
Alicia Myatt; and, Erica Armock.
Mr. Radliff is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Dees of
Vandalia, Illinois and Lorraine McKee of Indianapolis,
Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents Vivian and
Eva (McMillan) Radliff; brothers Carole, Troy and Charles and
sister Gail Mottern.
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