Mr. Raymond Laverne Pheiffer

Raymond Laverne Pheiffer, 95, of Galesburg died on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in his home after being surrounded by his family in his final days. Raymond was born March 9, 1930, on a farm near Sesser, IL, the son of William J. and Edith (Mallory) Pheiffer and was the youngest of five children. His family moved to western Illinois when he was a small child. He lost his mother in a tragic accident when he was ten years old. Raymond attended country schools in Warren, Henderson and Mercer counties before attending Monmouth High School in Monmouth, IL and then New Windsor High School in New Windsor, IL. He married Loretta M. Nelson of New Windsor; IL and she preceded him in death in 2007.

Raymond worked in many trades in his early years, beginning as a member of a tree crew for the Monmouth Power Company where he learned his skills in trimming and cutting down trees. This was a time before chain saws and bucket trucks, so he learned to climb trees using ropes and tree climbing spikes while using only hand saws. This is when he developed a keen interest in trees and continued to trim and cut trees as a part-time business into his late eighties. He last used a chainsaw when he was 88 years old. His interest extended to planting trees wherever he went. From this beginning he went on to work in welding, tree logging, laying pipelines and constructing roads and bridges where he operated a bulldozer. He then worked for William Gamel on a farm north of Rio, IL. From there he rented a farm southeast of Rio on the Ontario Blacktop and then rented a farm west of Oneida, IL. In 1962 he achieved his life-long dream by purchasing his own farm just northwest of Oneida. After he lost his son, Micheal, he went to work as a supervisor in the welding department at Butler Manufacturing Company in Galesburg, IL and retired after 33 years of working there.

After retiring, Raymond took up the sport of golf and played whenever he could. He would travel to Kentucky and other points south beginning in March to get a jump on the golfing season in western Illinois. He also went on golfing junkets with friends to other parts of the country during his retirement years. He was such an avid golfer that his golfing friends called him Arnold Palmer. He served as a marshal at the John Deere Classic PGA Golf Tournament for many years where he enjoyed holding the "Be Quiet" signs. Raymond liked traveling and had visited every state except Alaska and Hawaii. He thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Raymond was a life-member of the Oneida Lodge No. 337 of the Masons. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau for over 50 years. Raymond had been a member of the Ontario Congregational Church where he was a church official serving as a deacon and trustee. He had served as a leader for the Oneida Livestock 4H Club.

Survivors include his children Gary (Theresa) Pheiffer of Kewanee, IL, Christine (Steve) Gibbs of Victoria, IL, Matthew (Robin) Pheiffer of Galesburg, IL and Melinda Pheiffer of Macomb, IL; grandchildren Aaron (Kathy) Pheiffer, Valerie Hawkins, Benjamin Gibbs, Erica Gibbs, Troy Harpman and Angeline (Alex) Mather; great-grandchildren Owen Hawkins, Luke Hawkins, Rachel Pheiffer, Hayden Ponder, Raymond Wetterhus

and Thedrick Harpman; step-great-grandchildren Matthew Sulin, Langston Ponder, Chance Mather and Cadynce Mather; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews and long-time friend Rod Standard.

Raymond was preceded in death by his son Michael, who was killed in action in Vietnam; his grandchildren Jeffrey Pheiffer, Candace Pheiffer, Christie Gibbs and Alexander Gibbs; granddaughter-in-law Michelle Pheiffer; brothers Eugene Pheiffer and William D. Pheiffer, sister Marie Pease and an infant brother who died at birth. He was also preceded in death by special friends, Carolyn Horaney, Martha Branch and Loretta Woodside.

Raymond's family wishes to thank the OSF hospice care staff for the loving care they provided as well as to Mindy Pheiffer and Angeline Mather for their loving care 24/7 during his last days.

Per Raymond's request, cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be held at 12:00 noon followed by a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Burial is planned for a later date in the Oneida Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com