THE GOLDEN ROLL

RAY W. DeMENT, 87, R. R. 1, Clinton, Illinois a retired well
driller and avid lover of antique steam engines, died July 6, 1992
at Clinton.

Mr. DeMent later moved to Hallsville, Illinois, a few miles west
of Clinton, where he spent his life working with his father in the
threshing and well drilling business. When he first started, he
used steam engines to pull the drills. Later he collected antique
engines, tractors, binders, threshers and automobiles as a
hobby.

One of the last of the old thresher men of the Central States
Thresher men, Pontiac, he was a director for many years. He took
part in parades, reunions and exhibitions each summer, including
the Illinois State Fair Parade & Reunion at Pontiac.

He owned many engines in his lifetime, the last was a 40 HP
Case. He was an Aultman Taylor tractor enthusiast and he said many
a time, ‘Why own any other make when you can own the best, an
Aultman-Taylor’? He had been an Oliver-Hart-Parr dealer,
collected and restored almost one of each series the last few years
of his retirement.

He leaves behind three sisters; one son, Don; daughter-in-law
Shirley; three grandchildren and a host of friends. He was a member
of the Hallsville Christian Church, Central States Thresher
men’s Association and the DeWitt County Museum.

He was a generous, fun-loving man and will be greatly
missed.