Raymond Lewis Reed, 91, formerly of Warren, Illinois, passed away on September 14, 2023, at the Lafayette Manor in Darlington, Wisconsin. Ray was born on December 25, 1931, to Wilbur and Florence (Bingham) Reed in Stockton, Illinois, and he married Kathryn Helene Butler on March 3, 1962, in Stockton, Illinois. Ray enlisted in the Marine Corps and participated in the Korean War and earned various medals throughout his tenure with an honorable discharge. Afterwards, Ray drove for Brown's Trucking in Warren, Illinois, before his employment of 30 years at Kelly Springfield Tire in Freeport, Illinois. Ray was a member of the Warren Fire Department for 25 years. He mowed yards and tilled gardens around the area for many years, and his children and grandchildren loved helping him. Also, Ray loved driving to Green Bay for a yearly trip and bringing fish back for his family and friends. Ray's retirement allowed him more time making memories with his family; gardening; gambling; winning off his lotto tickets; traveling to auctions for his marbles and other treasures; and chatting at Casey's, Farmers Exchange, FS, and Hartzell's IGA. He knew someone wherever he went, and he always made new friends along the way. Ray loved to watch sports whether it was his grandchildren (never missing a game or event and adorned with his picture pins) or on the television, especially the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Wisconsin Badgers.

During March 2020, Ray and Kate moved to Monroe, Wisconsin, to live in Aster Assisted Living before moving to the Lafayette Manor where they resided in rooms next to each other and were/are cared for by the compassionate staff. He spent his days in the sun room chatting with other residents and family, eating his Tootsie pops and Werther's Originals, teasing the nurses, playing bingo, scratching lottery tickets, and watching sports on television or the neighbors outside. Ray loved his visits with family, and his family loved seeing his smiling or snoozing face in the sunroom windows as they entered the parking lot for their visits.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Francis Reed, mother-in-law; Berneice Saunders, brother and sister-in-law; Donald and Charlene Saunders, and brother-in-law; Bernard Saunders.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn of Darlington, WI; daughter Brenda (Mark) Peterson of New Glarus, WI; daughter Susan (John) Zambrovitz of Warren, IL; son Rick (Sue) Reed of Pearl City, IL; granddaughter Mandy (Matt) Hartzell of Warren, IL; grandson TJ (Jessie) Zambrovitz of Rockford, IL; granddaughter Carly Peterson of Milwaukee, WI; granddaughter Betsy (Cody) Zirbel of Monona, WI; grandson Dustan (Cassi) Reed of Pearl City, IL; grandson Aaron (Taylor) Reed of Pearl City, IL; great-grandchildren: Lizzy Hartzell, Alyssa Zambrovitz, Zane Hartzell, Laynee Zambrovitz, Aidan Zambrovitz, Deacon Reed, Callee Reed, Daxton Reed, Will Zirbel, and Dezmond Reed; sister-in-law Nelda Reed of Monroe, WI; sister-in-law Barbara Saunders of Warren, IL; and many nephews and nieces and their families.

The family will hold a private service for Ray at St. Ann's Catholic Church on Friday, September 22, 2023. His burial and final resting place will be St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded.

The family would like to thank the entire compassionate staff at Lafayette Manor who treated him like family; St. Croix Hospice; and Dr. Solverson & Dana Gruenenfelder, APNP with MHLC Primary Care Clinic- Darlington. A special thank you to Dr. Cleary for all of his years of care and friendship.