Raymond Richard Carlson

St. Joseph Raymond Richard Carlson, 84, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at his home in St. Joseph, IL. He was born on March 31, 1937 in Winnebago, IL to Walter and Florence (Weber) Carlson. Ray married Janice E. Miller on September 12, 1959 in Rockford, IL.

Ray is survived by his wife; children Greg (Sue) Carlson, Julie (Doug) Earl, Brian Carlson, and Jennifer Romito; grandchildren, Abe, Brittany, Brooke, Nicholas, Jose, Griffin, and Alyssa; great-grandchildren Maddison and Queston. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Milton & Eleanor Miller; siblings Harriet Dickinson, Warren Carlson, Jean Smith, Elsie Westphal, Ruby Bridgeland, and Roger Carlson.

Ray was an Illini basketball and football fan. He loved traveling, gardening, and fishing. Rays work history includes Winnebago Service Co. intern-salesman, Uncle Sam-Berlin Crisis, LaSalle County Farm Supply Dept. Manager, Stark County Service Co. general manager, Illini FS, Inc. general manager, GROWMARK INC. Eastern region manager, energy department manager, and executive director-special projects.

Visitation will be held at 11am-1:30pm on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 E Douglas Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873. Service will follow at 1:30pm at church. Graveside committal will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Mayview, IL. Memorial donations may be made in Rays name to Winnebago Historical Society or St. Judes childrens hospital. Please join his family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.