Raymond Meseke's Obituary
Raymond August Meseke, 89, of Vandalia, Illinois, a devoted
husband, father, grandfather and great -grandfather passed away on
Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Fayette County Hospital after a
short illness.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 - 2:30 pm followed by a
funeral service at 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 27, at Holy Cross
Lutheran Church in Vandalia with Rev. Jerry Bagwell
officiating. Burial was in Fairlawn Cemetery in
Vandalia. Memorials may be directed to the Holy Cross
Lutheran Church Radio Mission.
Ray was born to George and Helena Meseke of Shobonier, Illinois,
on August 6, 1925. He was baptized on August 23, 1925, at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Augsburg, Shobonier, Illinois, where he was an
active member until 1988. He and his wife then joined Holy
Cross Lutheran Church where he faithfully continued to worship.
Ray was married to Janet Moeller on September 2, 1947, at St.
Paul Lutheran Church, Shobonier, and they were blessed with two
daughters - Sharon and Diane.
Until retirement, Ray was a farmer in Wilberton Township, served
as President of Fayette County Farm Bureau Board, was a 24-year
member of the Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation Board,
serving as Chairman for 22 years and a Director of the Illinois
State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Many will remember Ray as that jolly old guy in the red suit who
for over twenty years visited many Christmas parties at area
schools, businesses, churches and homes. Following retirement
and moving into Vandalia, Ray drove cars to and from auctions for
several auto dealerships. His greatest pleasure was serving -
he delivered Meals on Wheels and drove countless numbers of local
residents to medical facilities throughout Central Illinois and St.
Louis.
Ray is survived by his wife; daughter, Sharon and her husband
David Reed of Indianapolis; son-in-law Keith Torbeck of Vandalia;
Grandchildren Matthew and wife Brenda Reed of Fishers, Indiana,
Melissa DuCharme and husband Ed DuCharme of Apex, NC, Kimberly and
husband Patrick Dudra of Rockmark, Georgia, Tiffany and her
husband Doug Erickson of Macomb, Illinois; Great-Grandchildren Alec
and Emily DuCharme, Hannah and Hailey Reed, Anthony Dudra, Alice
Rose Erickson; Brothers and Sisters-in-law Floyd and his
wife, Mildred Meseke of Vandalia, Rev. Gilbert and his wife
Charlaine Meseke of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dennis and his wife Evelyn
Meseke of Shobonier, George and his wife Amy of Vandalia; Alma
Meseke of Vandalia; and 21 nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Diane
Torbeck; brothers Rev. Ervin Meseke, Norman Meseke, and
Forrest Meseke; Sisters-in-law Irene Meseke, Arlene Meseke, Marilyn
Meseke, and Beverly Meseke; and one nephew.
What’s your fondest memory of Raymond Meseke?
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Share a story where Raymond Meseke's kindness touched your heart.
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