Raymond Merle Kennedy, 88, of Tuscola, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 East Van Allen Street, Tuscola, IL with Father Angel Sierra as celebrant. A Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2017 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded.

Ray was born on June 12, 1928 in Tuscola, IL, the son of James P. And Cora M. Dotson Kennedy.  He married Elizabeth M. Meinhart on September 27, 1952 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Island Grove, IL.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Betty Kennedy, children: James R. (Mary) Kennedy of Columbia, MO, Janice (Jeff) Puffer of Cedar Rapids, IA, Nancy (Bill) Nickell Mastney of Mahomet, Mike (Dawn) Kennedy of La Porte, TX, Marsha (Bill) Wagner of Pekin, John (Julie) Kennedy of Tuscola and Carolyn (Randy) Rehagen of St. Peters, MO, 24 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his daughter: Mary (Mark) Shaw, son: Bob (Sharon) Kennedy, son-in-law: Paul Nickell, grandson: Steven Puffer, brother: Lowell Kennedy and sister: Helen Davis.

Ray graduated from Tuscola High School in 1946. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. Ray retired from USI Chemical Company in 1989, where he worked as a chemical supervisor. He was a member of the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church and the Tuscola Moose Lodge.

He was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and he enjoyed bowling.

Memorials are suggested to the Forty Martyrs Refurbishing Fund or Masses would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com