Raymond Eugene Cushing, 60, of Bloomington, passed away on July 19 at 4 p.m. at Heartland Health Care, Normal. Cremation rites were accorded.
He was born Jan. 27, 1956 in Bloomington, a son of George W. and Marijane Woodward Cushing. Ray attended Bloomington Schools and worked most of his life as a chef, including many years at the Ozark House and most recently at IWU.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his long-time best friend, Calvin “Shorty” Gaston.
Ray is survived by seven brothers and sisters; Sara Cushing, Bloomington; George (Linda) Cushing, Rio Verde, Ariz.; Robert (Karen) Cushing, Normal; Theresa (Craig) Erikson, Benton Harbor, Michigan; Mary Cushing Resch, Springfield; Carol (Margo Chaney) Cushing, Urbana; and Tony (Kathy) Cushing, Bloomington; and by his life-long friend, Janet Goble of San Pablo, Calif. Nine nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews also survive.
Ray loved music and was also a voracious reader, saving years of back issues of National Geographic. His inquisitive mind and varied interests led to many lively conversations with friends and family.
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Dr. Pramern Sriratana; the nurses, aides and staff of Heartland Health Care; and the nurses and volunteers of St. Joseph Hospice for their care of Ray in his final battle with lung cancer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 711 N. Main St., Bloomington, Ill. 61701.
Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 from 12:30-2 p.m. at Beck Memorial Home. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be private.
Online condolences may be made to www.beckmemorial.com<http://www.beckmemorial.com/
Richard Walter
Richard J. Walter, 90, Fairbury, died at 5:00 a.m. July 25 at the Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Cemetery.
Visitation will be 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury for the planned Memory Support Unit.
Mr. Walter was born July 16, 1926 in Saunemin, Ill. the son of Samuel D. and Ruth Schlipf Walter. He married Colleen R. Moser on Dec. 2, 1956 in Fairbury. She survives in Fairbury.
Other survivors include their children, Julie (Mark) Runyon; Sam (Judy) Walter, both of Fairbury; Katie Walter, Normal; Daniel (Patti) Walter, Chatsworth; Alan (Linda) Walter, Fairbury; fifteen grandchildren, Trent (Shelley) and Josh Runyon; Kyle and Mackenzie (Josh Masching) Walter; Drake, Mikayla, Madyson, Mariah Walter; Travis (Kate), Dana, and Heather Walter; Jacob, Jared (Allison), Eli and Elizabeth Walter; one brother, Art Walter; one sister, Eleanor (Wayne) Honegger; and one sister-in-law, Arlene Walter, all of Fairbury.
He is preceded in death by one brother, Willard Walter and three grandchildren, Dustin, Maggie and Jacob.
Mr. Walter formerly owned and operated Sam Walter and Sons, Fairbury working in the family business from 1942 until his retirement in 2008. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.