Jon Ray

Jon Anthony Ray, 37, passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at his home in St. Louis, after a lengthy struggle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 14, 1967, in Pekin, Ill., son of Edwin and Mary Jo Fisher Ray.

Ray was a 1986 graduate of Hamilton High School, a 1991 graduate of Illinois State University, and a 1994 graduate of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, where he was a member of the law review. At the time of his death he was a partner in the law firm of Sedey and Ray.

He is survived by parents, Ed and Mary Jo Ray of Hamilton, Ill.; a sister, Amy and husband Michael VanFleet of Hamilton; nephews, David Edwin and Jon Carter VanFleet; paternal grandparents, Cecil and Eloise Ray of Vincennes, Ind.; a foster daughter, Jackie Parker of Carbondale, Ill.; aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by a maternal uncle, paternal uncle, and maternal grandparents, Hubert and Albertine Fisher of Cape Girardeau.

Jon was known for his kindness, keen wit, and his endless generosity, especially to those less fortunate. He loved the law, sports, family and friends. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. However, the true joys of his life in recent years were his nephews, David and Jon Carter VanFleet.

At his request, there will be no visitation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, Iowa. Music will be provided by his cousins, Matthew and Blake Fisher. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Glennon, Mo.

Honorary pallbearers will be cousins, Thomas Morie of Lake Panasaffee, Fla., Mark Fisher of St. Louis, along with Matthew Taphorn of Morton, Ill., Patrick Taphorn of Pekin, Greg Hewett of New York, N.Y., Bill Moench of St. Louis, Mark Viniard of Des Moines, Iowa, Chad Gilpin of Hamilton, Charles Moore and Mike Marrah of St. Louis.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Jon Ray Memorial Scholarship Fund for students of Hamilton High School and LaHarpe High School.

Lamporte Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.