Raymond O. Alvey, Sr., 80, longtime Mercer, Wis. resident and businessman, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at Flambeau Hospital in Park Falls, Wisc.      Ray was born Sept. 8, 1930, in Ironwood, Michigan, son of the late Frank and Anna (Noren) Alvey. He attended grade school in Mercer and graduated from Mercer High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 10, 1949 and was honorably discharged on Feb. 9, 1950.      Following his discharge, Ray lived in Texas for a short time and was employed in the masonry trade. He then returned to Mercer where he operated a paint contracting business with his brother Ed, and retired as owner and operator of Mercer Hardware.      Ray was one of the original founders of Northern Highlands State Bank in Mercer and served on the board of directors. He was also one of the original founders of the Northern Highlands Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, Mercer Knights of Columbus Council 7228, a member and past treasurer of the Mercer Lions Club, and a past member of the board of directors of the Mercer Credit Union. He loved hunting and fishing and was a hunter safety instructor for a number of years, and thoroughly enjoyed waterfowl woodcarving. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.      Ray was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to all, and will be dearly missed.      On Nov. 11, 1963, he married the former Lola Zyduck at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer. She preceded him in death on July 26, 2001.      Surviving are a son, Raymond, Jr. (Heather), Savage, Minn.; two grandchildren, Will and Anna Alvey; two brothers, Ed Alvey , Sr., Mercer, and Patrick Alvey, Milwaukee; a sister, Jackie (Emil) Lacek, Mercer; and numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers-and-sisters-in-law.      Besides his parents and wife, Ray was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Alvey.      Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Lourdu Mandapati, celebrant.      Rite of Committal will be held at the church, with luncheon to follow in the parish hall.      Cremation will take place.      Pallbearers will be Emil Lacek, Ed Alvey, Sr., Patrick Alvey, Ed Alvey, Jr., Darrell Swearingen and Steve Leitch.      To view Ray's obituary online, sign the guestbook or express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.