Louis A. Ray, age 81, formerly of Maryville and Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO surrounded by his family.

Louis was born April 11, 1940 in Springfield, IL to the late Joseph and Clementine (nee Corcoran) Ray. He married Janet Sturhahn, who also preceded him in death.

Louis was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He retired from Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon after many years of service as an anesthetist.  He was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville and a hardworking volunteer trail maker at Willoughby Farm.  Everyone knew him as "Louie" and he always had a smile and a kind word to share.

Family was everything to Louie.  He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events over the years and was their biggest fan. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who will be dearly missed.

In addition to his parents and spouse, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Marie Ray; a grandson, Joshua Ray Hurst; a brother, Joe Ray; and two sisters, JoAnn Harmon and Louise Murray.

Surviving are his six children:  Karen (Tim) Hurst of Mt. Vernon, IL, Carol (Darryl) Frerker of Maryville, IL, David (Rachel) Ray of Millstadt, IL, Christine (Brad) Peterson of Maryville, IL, Darrin (Bernadette) Ray of Gibson City, IL, and Denise (Malik) Shakir of Montgomery, IL; 19 grandchildren:  Brian (Shannon), Nick, Matthew, Amanda (Jason), Lucas (Amanda), Lindsey (Jordan), Liz, Brandon (Darien), Andrea, Daylan, Spreed, Sydnie, Brendan (Kenzie), Justin, Trey, Connor, Sophia, Tristan and Kayden; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers:  Robert (Nancy) Ray, Ralph (Sue) Ray and Paul Ray; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL and 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL. Due to current state restrictions, masks are required to be worn.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with Father John Beveridge celebrant.  Military honors will follow the mass.  Private burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be in Louie's honor to Willoughby Farm and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.