Raymond E. Holthe

WASHINGTON – Raymond E. Holthe, 87, of Washington, IL, peacefully passed away at his residence at Morningside of Washington on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Ray was born in Chicago, IL on March 16, 1928 to Fred and Mary (Casey) Holthe. He married Donna Marie Wargo on November 25, 1954 in Streator. After 56 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on July 7, 2011 in Washington. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Eakman of Indianapolis, IN and Karen (and Ricky) Tessman of Waukesha, WI; five sons, Tom (and Elaine) Holthe of Houston, TX, Steve (and Jean) Holthe of Arnold, MO, Jim Holthe of Washington, IL, Paul (and Michelle) Holthe of Eureka, IL, and Matt (and Janet) Holthe of Bloomington, IL; ten grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five nieces; and seven nephews. He was preceded in chapter eternal by his parents, his brother Fred, one grandchild, two nephews and one niece. Ray was a World War II Navy veteran, honorably discharged as an Electronic Technician’s Mate, Third Class, in 1946. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering in February 1951, graduating first in his class of 805 students. He received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in May 1957. He was employed by Caterpillar, Inc. from 1951 through 1984 in the Research and Engineering departments. He then worked as a contract engineer for six years in Florida, Indiana and Illinois. Ray did volunteer work as an income tax counselor in the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program from 1991 to 2002; as an adult literacy counselor from 1991 to 1998; as a computer instructor in the SeniorNet program from 1991 to 1997; as an insurance counselor in the Senior Health Insurance Program from 1992 to 1995; and as a parish collection counter from 1992 to 2007. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Washington, IL. He served as President of the Men’s Club, Treasurer of the Board of Education, was a choir member and was a member of the Tuesday Morning Prayer Group. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Father John Menco Council, No. 6707. There will be a visitation for Ray on Monday, January 4, 2016 from 4:00P.M.-6:00P.M. at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington with a recitation of the Rosary at 3:45 P.M. A funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, January 5, 2015 at 10:00A.M. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington with a half hour visitation prior to the service. Father Julius Turyatoranwa will officiate. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memory Garden in rural Morton, IL. Requests for memorial Masses may be made at the funeral home or at his church. Also, donations in his name may be made to the Father Schubert Memorial Fund or the Sister Mary Ann Scholarship Fund.

Raymond E. Holthe

March 16, 1928 - December 29, 2015