Prominent Milan Businessman, Floyd M. Rayner, 92, passed away at St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital in Lawrenceburg on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Floyd was born on Thursday, December 27, 1928 in Osgood, Indiana to Robbie and Helen (Schmaltz) Rayner. Floyd was a 1947 graduate of Milan High School. On August 12, 1948, Floyd married the love of his life, Betty L. Bultman, at Versailles Baptist Church. This past year, Floyd and Betty celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Floyd’s family owned and operated the Super Rose Service Station located on West Carr Street in Milan. The family business eventually expanded to become the Rayner Oil Company. Floyd continued as owner and operator of his family’s business for the next thirty-five years. Upon his retirement, he and his wife, Betty, became “snowbirds” and spent the next thirty-one winters at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida. Over the course of his life, Floyd was a highly active member of the First Baptist Church of Milan. He loved to sing in the choir and held many positions within the church over time.
Floyd was a charter member and an active participant of the Milan Lions Club. He dedicated many years to being a part of any and all Lions activities, included but not limited to: being on the committee to establish the Milan Golf Tournament, helping establish Camp Woodsmoke, serving on the scholarship committee, and helping with Milan fireworks, parades, Christmas decorations, and too many chicken dinners to mention. Floyd and Betty both served as grand marshals for the Fourth of July parade four years ago in Milan as well. Floyd was active on the Lions Indiana University Board of Cancer Research and served on the Board of Directors for Camp Woodsmoke. He received many honorable distinctions including being named Lion of the Year on several occasions, being both president and vice president of the Milan Lions Club and being the recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. Floyd was influential in establishing the lights and pathway at Milan Park. Milan Lions Club recently presented Floyd a brick with his name on it for his many years of service to the Lions. This brick will be placed in his honor at the Indiana State Lions Club Foundation building on Purdue Street in Indianapolis. Floyd was an accomplished man who cared deeply for his community and it certainly shows.
In his free time, he enjoyed traveling and a good card game with his friends. Floyd was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on his boat fishing in the Gulf. He was an exceptional wood carver and especially liked to carve Santas.
Floyd will certainly be missed by both his family and his community. He is survived by his wife, Betty; granddaughter Jessica Brown (Josh England); and two great-grandchildren Joshua Brown and Conner England. Floyd is preceded in death by his parents; his son David Rayner and infant son Michael Dean Rayner; and daughter Jody Rayner.
Family and friends are invited to join the Rayner family in remembering Floyd from 12 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Milan First Baptist Church located at 112 S. Main Street, Milan, Indiana 47031. After visitation, a Lions Club service will be held at 1:45 PM followed by a funeral service with Reverend Harris Long officiating. Burial will be held at Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles. Memorials may be given in honor of Floyd to Milan First Baptist Church, Milan Lions Club, or Cliff Hill Cemetery. Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, Box 243 Milan, Indiana 47031. Please reach out through our website at www.lawscarrmoore.com to leave an online condolence or a memory of Floyd for his family.