First Sergeant Ray D. Jenkins

Danville First Sergeant Ray D. Jenkins (Ret.), 82, of Danville passed away at 6:09 PM on December 26, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Ray was born on May 23, 1936 the son of Benjamin Franklin and Nellie Mae (Smith) Jenkins in Catlin, IL. He married Pieternella Zwezerijnen on December 16, 1960 in Utrecht the Netherlands and she survives.

Survivors include his wife, Pieternella Jenkins of Danville, IL; two sons, Alan (Linda) Jenkins of Bowling green, KY and John Paul Jenkins of Rapid City, SD; one brother, Michael (Carol) Jenkins of Little Shute, WI; two sisters, Shirley Gonzales of Champaing, IL and Anne Auter of Danville, IL; two grandchildren, Deanna Jenkins of Bowling Green, KY and Raymond Jenkins of Paris, IL; as well as two great-grandchildren, Taylynn Jenkins and Isaiah Jenkins of Paris, IL.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, his twin brother, Roy Jenkins as well as Robert Jenkins and William Jenkins; and one sister, Madalene Palermo.

First Sergeant Jenkins was a Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Army and Illinois Army National Guard for a combined 29 years of service from 1957 until his retirement in 1986. Ray worked as a Millwright for Hyster of Danville and a Maintenance Mechanic for TeePak. He was a member of the Catlin Church of Christ, a 32nd Degree Mason with the Catlin Masonic Lodge, a Golden Eagles member and a member of the Vermilion County War Museum. In his freetime, he enjoyed fishing, working on automobiles and home improvement projects, assisting with the childrens programs like the Dyslexia and Child I.D. programs sponsored by Masonic organizations and was an avid reader his entire life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL. Pastor Don Hesler will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 2, 2019 from 5-7 PM at the funeral home with Masonic Rites accorded at 7:00 PM, as well as one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Services.

Memorials are requested to Shriners Childrens Hospital, the Masonic Dyslexia Program or the Catlin Masonic Lodge.

Please join Rays family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Visitation Wednesday January 2, 2019 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Masonic Service Wednesday January 2, 2019 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Visitation Thursday January 3, 2019 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Celebration of Life Thursday January 3, 2019 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Military Honors Thursday January 3, 2019 11:15 AM Sunset Memorial Park 3901 N. Vermilion Street Danville, , IL 61834