Ronald Raef
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CHERRY — Ronald Joseph Raef, 67, of 206 St. Paul St., Cherry, passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Ronald was born on Jan. 3, 1945, in Spring Valley to Stephen Joseph and Marcella Marie (Schneider) Raef. He was a class of 1963 graduate of Hall High School. He married Doris Lynn Stefko on July 3, 1965, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Cherry.
He had worked for Sundstrand/Sauer-Danfoss in LaSalle as a machinist for 42 years where he served as chief steward for United Auto Workers Local 285. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cherry, serving as usher in recent years.
Ron was a loving, dedicated, loyal husband and cared for his wife when her health failed. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy and attending their various activities over the years was a top priority. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, camping and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was a craftsman who could build or repair anything and could be found lending a helping hand to his sons with remodeling projects. Ron was a highly respected man who continued to field phone calls from former co-workers seeking advice in clarifying post-retirement benefits well after the LaSalle plant closing. He will certainly be missed by all.
He is survived by his children, Brenda (Martin) Donovan, Angela Raef, Brian (Wendy) Raef and Kevin (Megan) Raef, all of Cherry; five grandchildren, Kaitlynn Kay Donovan, Ella Grace and Olivia Raelynn Raef, and Landon Joseph and Brookelynn Marie Raef, all of Cherry; one stepgranddaughter, Jeannette Michele Donovan of Princeton; one stepgreat-granddaughter, Adelyne Marie Donovan of Princeton; two sisters, Evelyn (LaVerne) Woolley of Cherry and Donna (Daniel) McDonald of Cherry; one brother, Howard Raef of Cherry; two sisters-in-law, Margaret (Gerald) Martinkus of Cherry and Patricia (Paul) Pescetto of Peru; one brother-in-law, Joseph Stefko III of Cherry; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris Lynn Raef on July 24, 2009; his mother-in-law and father-in-law; and a great-niece in infancy.
Services will be held at 10:45 a.m. Friday at the Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cherry, with the Rev. Patrick Fixsen officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Cherry.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m.
