F. Raymond Burnham Jr., 87 of Griswold, IA, died Saturday morning, October 1, 2011, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold.

Fred Raymond Burnham Jr. was born at Council Bluffs, IA, on March 1, 1924, the son of Fred Raymond and Elizabeth (Pace) Burnham. He graduated from Griswold High School in 1941 and farmed for one year with his father. In the fall of 1942 he started college at Iowa State in Ames and after attending for one quarter, he came home to help farm. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and on December 14, 1944, he married N. Jean Robinson at the home of her parents west of Lewis before reporting for basic training. After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Griswold and he and Jean started his lifelong vocation as a grain and livestock farmer, farming in Cass County. He was a member of the Cass County Pork Producers and was named Star Supporter in 2003. He was also a 4-H leader just as he was a member of 4-H growing up.

Raymond was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church and a 50 year member of Cass Lodge #412 A.F. & A.M and was past master. Raymond's hobby was singing and for several years he was a member of the Nishna Valley Chordsman and sang in barbershop quartets. He also sang in the church choir and the community choirs.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Don Hering, his brother Harvey and his brother-in-law Robert Johnk.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jean of Griswold, his daughter Nancy Hering of Oakland, IA; his son Nate and his wife Annette of Ankeny, IA; and his 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren: Julie Hering-Kent and her husband Dennis and their son Daniel of Cherokee, IA; Brenda Windmuller and her husband Johan of Blair, NE; Carrie Ball and her husband Derrick and their daughter Raeghan of Omaha, NE; Tami Burnham and her partner Vince Jackson and their daughter Alayna of West Des Moines, IA; and Chris Burnham of Chicago, IL. Also surviving are his sisters Betty Jean Goettsch and her husband Randall of Villisca, IA and Carolyn Johnk of Hancock, IA and his sister-in-law Millie Burnham of Laurens, IA, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at 10:30 AM at the Griswold United Methodist Church, Pastor Dwight Grosvenor officiating. Burial will be in the Flint Cemetery with Military Honors. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. Masonic services will be at 6:00 Monday evening followed by visitation with the family until 7:30 PM.