Raymond L. "Ray" Picl

Raymond "Ray" L. Picl, 96, of Peoria Heights, IL passed away on October 05, 2025 at Buehler Home in Peoria. Ray was born on June 15, 1929 in Peoria Heights, IL to Louis and Emma (Herget) Picl. He married Louise Wuthrich on January 08, 1956. She preceded him in death in 2017.
Ray is survived by his children, Susan (Jerry) DuBois of Morton, Sande Peters of Peoria Heights, and Rick (Melanie) Picl of Peoria Heights, 7 grandchildren, Tony (Elizabeth) DuBois, Jami (Matt) McClain, Mallory Picl, Jessica Peters, Hannah Hernandez, Gabriella Hernandez, and Isabella Hernandez; 2 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lois Toft. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Raymond Picl Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Carol Picl; one son-in-law, Russ Peters; and one sister, Eva Stenger.
Ray was a lifelong resident of Peoria Heights. He graduated from Woodruff High School and Bradley University. He served for four years in the US Navy, and then he worked for the Peoria Journal Star as the Food and Drug Advertising Manager retiring after 35+ years. Ray loved the Village of Peoria Heights and was very active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, the Village Party and former President of Tower Park Inc., just to name a few. He was very proud to serve as mayor of Peoria Heights for 28 years!
Family was important to Ray! He loved to fish and cherished his family trips to Longville, MN. He was also an avid sports fan, beginning with following his children through their sports as a P.A. announcer for Peoria Heights Grade School and High School. Ray was a die hard Cubs fan and past president of the Chicago Cubs Boosters of Central Illinois, for which he organized bus trips and annual trips to Mesa, AZ for Cubs Spring Training. He was also the co-coordinator of the Chicago Bears Fan Club of Central Illinois. As a longtime season ticket holder for the Bradley Braves basketball team, Ray enjoyed all things Bradley, traveling with the basketball team and attending baseball games. He was a past president of the Bradley Chiefs Club. He also established the Raymond L. Picl, Sr. Family Endowed Scholarship for a Bradley student athlete. In 2023 Ray was a recipient of the Bradley Braves Great Teammate Award for his dedication, commitment and support. He was the winner of the 1998 Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Neve Harms Award for meritorious Service.
Ray was a member of Grandview Lodge 1112 AF & AM Scottish Rite, Mohammed Shrine, Royal Arch Masons, Blaney Commandry, Knights Templars, Illini Council 347 Allied Masonic Degree, Greater Peoria Shrine Club, Shrine Legion of Honor, and Royal Order of Jesters Court #40.
The family would like to thank Bueller Home for the love and care they gave Ray!
Ray was a member of Peoria Heights Christian Church, 4906 N Prospect Rd. Peoria Heights, IL 61616. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025 from 10:00 to 12:00. A funeral service will be held at the church after the visitation at 12:00 pm with Pastor Rick Simkins officiating, followed by a burial at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, IL.
Memorials may be made to Peoria Heights Christian Church. Ray's online memorial website, condolences and tributes can be viewed at www.cumerfordclary.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond "Ray", please visit our floral store.