Edwin Ray

GENEVA, Ill. — Edwin Lee "Ed" Ray passed away at 6:24 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois, after a long illness complicated by heart, lung and kidney disease.

Ed was born Oct. 13, 1945, to Cecil V. and Eloise Wichman Ray at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana.

He attended public schools in Vincennes, graduating from Lincoln High School in May 1963. He furthered his education at Christian Brothers College (later Christian Brothers University), graduating in May 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.

While attending CBC, he met his wife of 57 years, Mary Jo Fisher. They were united in marriage Aug. 27, 1966, at St. Mary's Cathedral Cape Girardeau.

Upon graduation from Christian Brothers, he accepted employment at CPC International as a process engineer in Pekin, Illinois. After nine years, he accepted a position with the Amstar Corp. in Dimmitt, Texas, as a production engineer. He ended his career at Roquette America in Keokuk, Iowa, as a production manager. Ed's years of employment were all spent in the corn wet milling industry. He was considered a leader and extremely knowledgeable in every facet of the industry. He was a teacher and always challenged to learn more.

Ed was always an attentive and loving parent and grandparent. He was actively involved in coaching their athletic endeavors and spent hours enjoying their events and rarely missed an activity or performance.

He and Mary Jo enjoyed boating, dancing, playing bridge and traveling, especially family trips to the East Coast.

His greatest joy in retirement was his involvement with his grandsons, David and Carter.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Hubert and Albertine Fisher; brother, Kenneth Dean Ray; brother-in-law, Richard Fisher; and his greatly loved son, Jon Anthony Ray, Esquire, who passed away in 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Fisher Ray; daughter, Amy Hanson; grandsons, David Edwin Van Fleet and Jon Carter Van Fleet; as well as treasured brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134.

A visitation for Ed will be from 9 until 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 880 N. 6th St., in Hamilton, Illinois.

A celebration of life and Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the church. A luncheon will follow immediately in the church hall. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements were handled by Malone Funeral Home of Geneva. For more information, please call (630) 232-8233 or visit www.malonefh.com.