Herbert "Ray" Kunce, 63 of Paxton, died at 12:42 a.m. Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton Senior Living.  For the past four years, Ray bravely coped with COPD and multiple system atrophy (MSA-C), a rare degenerative neurological disorder.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E Pells Street, Paxton.

Visitation begins three hours prior to the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Ray was born March 25, 1955 in Gary, Indiana, the son of Billy and Betty Naugle Kunce.  Thirty-nine years ago, at the Paxton First United Methodist Church, Ray married Denise Leider on May 26, 1979.  She survives.

He is also survived by three children, Heather (Chris) McKay of Minonk, Sarah Kunce of Urbana, Virgil Kunce of Paxton; two grandchildren, Colin and Kearney McKay and a sister, Peggy (Dick) Ackman of Bourbonnais.  Also surviving are brother-in-law Richard Leider of Butte, Mont.; sisters-in-law Christine Mahkuk of Anaconda, Mont. and Deb (Reece) Livingstone of Wheat Ridge, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents and recently, a brother, Stanley Kunce.

Ray grew up in the small town of Clarence IL and was part of the last class in a two-room school house. He graduated Paxton High School in 1973 and 14 years later received his truck driving certificate from Parkland College.  He was a self-employed truck driver, and also worked for A.N. Webber Inc. and Lefebvre and Sons Trucking. During his 25 years on the road, Ray received numerous awards celebrating his work ethic and performance.

Ray was an avid Illini and Bears fan.  In his earlier years he enjoyed restoring cars and gardening.  As a devoted family man, his greatest love was spending time home from the highway with his family and he will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.  Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.