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Obituary for Bryan E. Rayner
Bryan E. Rayner, age 56, of Ava, Ohio, died Thursday, September 19, 2013, at his home. He was born May 4, 1957, in Cambridge, son of Evelyn Marie Bryan Rayner of Ava and the late Wilfred Ellis “Shine” Rayner. He was a 1975 graduate of Shenandoah High School and the Guernsey-Noble Vocational School’s auto mechanic program. He was the third generation owner and operator of Rayner’s Garage and Towing in Ava, which was founded by his grandfather, Boots Rayner in 1929. Together with his father, Shine, they operated the family business until his father’s death December 1, 2006. He was always on call to help at the time of an accident or vehicle breakdown at any time of day or night, holidays, in blazing heat or in freezing cold. He was dedicated to his work. He provided towing services for demolition derbies, and decorated his tow trucks and participated in local parades. Mr. Rayner, along with his wife, Teresa, operated a mobile museum dedicated to the history of the Shenandoah airship, which crashed in Ava in 1925. He was a collector of its memorabilia, including pieces of its wreckage, and he was a well- known local historian who promoted the history of the Shenandoah and the Ava community. He was a member of the Akron Lighter Than Air Club, Lakehurst Lighter Than Air Club, and the National Naval Airship Association. He enjoyed hosting July Fourth celebrations at his home, and he loved eating meals at Marianne’s Food Station in Belle Valley. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Theresa E. Perkins Rayner, whom he married November 26, 1977; two daughters, Tiffany R. (Ryan) Wehr of Caldwell and Emily J. Rayner of Ava; one sister, Darla K. (John) Wheeler of Ava; one grandson, Christopher D. Wehr, and one grandchild on the way; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. Friends may call Monday, September 23, and Tuesday, September 24, 2013, from 2-4 and 6-8PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will be observed Wednesday, September 25th at 11AM with Ken Perkins officiating. Burial will follow at Halley’s Ridge Cemetery near Ava. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, 215 West Street, Caldwell, Ohio, 43724, the Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 16, Belle Valley, Ohio, 43717, the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 214, Summerfield, Ohio, 43788, or the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department, 444 West Main Street, Cumberland, Ohio, 43732.
Cemetery: Halley's Ridge Cemetery Ava, Ohio
Visitation: Monday September 23, 2013 Tuesday, September 24, 2013 2-4 and 6-8PM
