Raymond (Ray) H. Wenneman, 88, of Belleville, IL departed on Saturday May 30 at 9:00 pm at EverVella Care Center in Swansea, IL with his wife, Loretta by his side.
Ray left an impact on his family and friends with his inquisitive mind and sense of humor. He was always up for a debate on any subject with his friends and “outlaws” as he lovingly called his brothers and sisters in law. His love of baseball began at an early age; playing throughout high school and leagues after college until a bum knee forced him to follow the St Louis Cardinals from the comfort of the stands. He enjoyed attending hockey and football games and Muni Musicals. He took great joy and pride intending to his rhododendrons and azalea bushes and maintaining his landscape to perfection.
His education began in a one room school in Lively Grove, IL; a 1956 graduate of Cathedral High School; and a BA from Marquette University in 1960. After graduation; he married the feisty young lady reading his newspaper over his shoulder on the bus. Ray & Loretta were married on June 28th, 1960 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Libory, IL. then moved to Belleville, IL.
Ray’s early career as a fabric buyer for Famous-Barr in St Louis, MO parlayed into a self-employed fabric salesman for several lines. He maintained a territory of five states traveling over 50,000 miles a year. His good taste and business acumen led him to open a high-end fabric shop; In Material, in the Belleville Arcades. He retired at 70 so Loretta and he could continue to enjoy traveling throughout Northern America. Some of their favorite trips included an Alaskan cruise and visiting Australia and New Zealand.
As a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, you would find Ray tending bar at their “famous” Fish Fry during Lent or in the offices tending to the Sunday donations.
He will surely be missed by his wife of 65 years, Loretta née Kramper; his daughters, Cheryl (Rex) Allen of Stuart, FL and Michelle Downey of Santa Fe, NM; his sisters-in-law: Clara Luebbers, St Charles, MO, LaVerne Kramper, St Libory, IL, Carol Kramper, Highland IL, Carol Brauer, Belleville IL., plus numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and wonderful friends and neighbors.
Ray is proceeded in death by his parents; Herman “Buddy” and Eleanora (Luechtefeld) Wenneman, his step mother Nellie “Skip” Wenneman; his son Ronald Ray Wenneman; his son-in-law Gary Downey; Aunt Irma & Uncle Joe Greten; his brothers and sister-in-laws Ralph and Helen Rakers, Melvin Luebbers, Andrew & Marian Kramper, Leo Kramper, his nephews Jeffrey Kramper & Dean Kramper and niece Sharon (Luebbers) Fichter.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BJC Hospice-Illinois or in the form of Masses.
Services: Ray’s ashes will be interned in a private family service. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.
