Raymond Uhl

1938 - 2011

Raymond Uhl
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Raymond L. Uhl, 72, of Fairview Heights, Ill., born Sept. 29, 1938, in Johnstown, Pa., died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at his residence.
Mr. Uhl retired as a master sergeant after a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force, including an assignment to Thailand in 1972 during the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he worked for 20 years in the Sears Automotive Department in Fairview Heights, Ill., and, most recently, as a computer programmer for Harting & Associates in Swansea, Ill. Ray was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill. He was a member of the American Legion, the Shiloh Eagles, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Scott Air Force Base Post.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia L., nee Delphia, Uhl; and his parents, Raymond H. and Ethel Mae, nee Baiker, Uhl.
Surviving are his wife, Rita, nee Schanherr-Swettenham, Uhl, whom he married on Aug. 8, 2010; two sons and a daughter, Stephen (Tina) Uhl of Belleville, Ill., Ray Jr. (Teri) Uhl of Fenton, Mo., and Kelly (Matt) Rygelski of Fairview Heights, Ill.; a special son, Larry Pool; a special daughter, Leslie Tesluk-Ecker; two grandchildren, Kelsie and Kaitlyn; and two sisters, Sharon (Fred) Stormer of Johnstown, Pa., and Cheryl (Gus) LaVecchio of Punta Gorda, Fla.

God saw you were getting tired,
And a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you,
And whispered, "Come with Me."
With tearful eyes and heavy hearts,
We watched you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Working hands were put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Capital Campaign Fund, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends called Friday, May 13, 2011, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill. Friends may call again from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill., with Father Raymond Schultz officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.