Raymond D VanMeltebeck, Jr.
09/15/1931 - 04/15/2005
Obituary
Raymond D. VanMeltebeck, Jr.,73, of Kewanee, Il. died at 4:30 A.M., Friday, April 15, 2005 at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg, Il.
He was born September 15, 1931 in Kewanee the son of Raymond and Clara (Marten) VanMeltebeck, Sr. He graduated from Kewanee High School with perfect attendance in 1949. He served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict.
He married Shirley Vermiere September 29, 1956 in Sheffield, Il. She died April 4, 1977. He married Velma Mae Owens April 8, 1983 in Kewanee. She died July 22, 2003. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Surviving is a sister Elizabeth (Mrs. Kenneth) Taylor of Big Bear, California and one brother Martin E. VanMeltebeck of Kewanee. One nephew Michael and one niece Michelle and several great nieces and nephews all of California.
He was employed at Kewanee Hyster Company for many years retiring as a supervisor in the assembly department.
Ray was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Kewanee. He was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council #734. He was a member and Past Commander of Kewanee VFW Post 8078, past 8th District Commander of the Illinois VFW and a member of the Kewanee Veterans Council. He was a member of Kewanee American Legion Post #31 for over 51 years and served as commander in 1964. He was also a member of the Kewanee Moose Lodge. He had been a percussionist in the Kewanee Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corp.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kewanee. Rev. Chris Haake will officiate.
Burial will be in the Mount Olivet Cemtery, Kewanee, Il. Msgr. Burke Addition where military honors will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. Monday, April 18, 2005 at Schueneman-Tumbleson Funeral Home, Kewanee, Il.
Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.
The photo is from 1977.
