Raymond J. Ax, age 80, of Collinsville, IL, formerly of Caseyville, IL passed away November 29, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Ray was born January 24, 1942 in East St. Louis, IL. He graduated from Assumption High School in 1960. Ray, a Vietnam veteran, served in the US Navy from 1965-1968. He retired from Boeing in 2004 after 35 years of working on the F-15 Fighter jet.

As a member of Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville, IL, Ray faithfully attended mass, was a Eucharist minister, a member of the Booster Club, and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ray was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 54 years, Sharon, whom he affectionately called "Irish". They were married May 11, 1968 at St. Phillips Catholic Church in East St. Louis, IL. Together, Ray and Sharon loved having fun with friends and family including winery trips, dinners, and family celebrations.

Ray loved sports. For 20 years he enjoyed coaching St. Stephen's Catholic Youth Organization high school boys' basketball. He also coached his own children's basketball teams. As his children moved through grade school, high school, and college, he attended almost all of their sporting events.

In retirement, Ray's favorite activities included traveling the world with Sharon, watching his grandchildren's sporting events, and especially breakfasts with "the boys"!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph W. Ax and Margaret, nee Willis, Ax; siblings, Sister Dorothy Ann Ax, Mary Jo Halvachs-Keeser and Dorothy Ann Walker.

Surviving are his loving wife, Sharon, nee Flaharty, Ax; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Jack Carmody of Troy, IL; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Emily Ax of Columbia, IL; sisters, Virginia Mackey of Greenfield, IN and Rose (James) Pappas of Bellville, IL; beloved grandchildren, Jocelynn and Jilliann Carmody and Camden, Mason and Caroline Ax; sisters and brothers-in-laws, Donald and Terry Barbour of Collinsville, IL and Patrick and Susan Flaharty of Jacksonville, NC as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022 and 9 - 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL.

Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 200 N. Lange, Maryville, IL with Father Rob Johnson celebrant.  Burial with military honors will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

The family requests that donations be made to Cancer Care Center of IL (CCSI), Father McGivney Catholic High School 2022 Expansion Fund or Masses and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home.