Ray Alan Marks – West Salem

87-year-old Ray Alan Marks, died on July 5 at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. He was born August 19, 1932 near West Salem, IL.

Ray was the son of Pernie and Ruth (Reckling) Marks. He married Ruby Lee McKnight on March 4, 1951. To this marriage of 69 years, 4 children were born. Two Daughters, Terry (Dr. Ronald) Gill of Bone Gap, IL, Dixie (Jerry) Timbrook of Chambersburg, PA, and two sons, Tom (Karen) Marks of West Salem, IL, and Tim (Christy) Marks of Lebanon, IN. 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Gill (Scott) Cantner, Alissa Gill (Nick) Stieber, Rana Gill (Josh) Walker, Lindsay Gill (Peter) Stevens; Paula Timbrook (Eddie) Byrne, Amy Timbrook (Matt) Caton, Sarah Timbrook (Mark) Dodson; Randall (Kaytlyn) Marks, Miranda Marks, Andrea Marks (Jake) Staley; Katriel Marks; and 21 great grandchildren and one on the way.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gene, and one great grandchild.

Above all else, Ray loved God, Jesus Christ his Savior, his family, and his country. Ray was a lifelong member of Marion Christian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for more than 60 years. Ray was deeply committed to the Biblical education of young people. This commitment led him to serve on the board of Oil Belt Christian Service Camp for 50 years.

Ray was a lifelong farmer in Edwards County. He served on the county USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) committee for 25 years. He was a Pioneer Seed Corn Sales Representative until 1996. He loved quail hunting with his brother-in-law Gene Hammell. In his younger years, he was the catcher for the Bennington Bears and many other local baseball and softball teams.

An Outdoor Memorial Service will be held at 10am CDT Saturday, July 11 at the Ray Marks home (352 County Road 1850 N, West Salem, IL 62476). For those attendees who choose to remain in their cars for the service, it will be broadcast on a frequency that is accessible through your car radio. If you choose to wear a mask, please bring your own. The family will have a limited supply of masks for those who do not have one available. Burial will be at Macedonia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, and/or Marion Christian Church, and will be accepted by Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home.

Online condolences and fond memories are encouraged and may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com

Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.