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John Raycraft Obituary
John Joseph "Joe" Raycraft
Sept. 21, 1928 - Jan. 31, 2024
NORMAL - John Joseph "Joe" Raycraft, 95, of Normal, passed away at 3:29 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at The Villages of Mercy Creek in Normal surrounded by family.
His Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal, with Father John Horton officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to mass at the church. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bloomington.
Memorials may be left to Epiphany Catholic Church.
Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joe was born on September 21, 1928, in Bloomington, a son to John S. and Margaret (McDonald) Raycraft. He attended Sheep Eye Grade School, Trinity High School, and then later graduated in 1954 from Illinois State University with a degree in Vocational Agriculture Education. Joe proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951-1954. He attended military counter intelligence school in Maryland and then joined the 37th National Guard Division. Joe recently traveled to Washington D.C on an Honor Flight accompanied by his son Robert who is also a retired National Guard Member.
Joe retired from Funk Brother's Seed Co. after 38 years where he worked as a research scientist developing hybrid corn varieties for the Southern Coastal States.
Joe married Mauna Snodgrass in 1956 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bloomington. They raised their family in Bloomington-Normal and were members of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal where he served as an usher for many years. Joe was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Bloomington.
Surviving are his wife, Mauna Raycraft of Normal; seven children: Annette (Paul) Heintzman of Springfield, IL, Rita (Mark) Healy of Houston, TX, Joseph E. (Lori) Raycraft of Normal, Cynthia (Jim) Funcheon of Bloomington, Emily (Anthony) Dever of Indianapolis, IN, Robert (Andrea) Raycraft of Bloomington, and Alicia (Thad) Flohr of Bonney Lake, WA. Also Surviving are eighteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and two brothers.
Online condolences and memories of Joe may be left for his family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
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2 Entries
Tom and Sue Ocheltree
February 3, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Steven Detloff
February 2, 2024
My wife Sherry and I were next door neighbors to Joe and Mauna for 28 years and I have to say Joe was one of the kindest and nicest people in this world. He was always coming around to lend a hand to any project I might be doing and giving me advice--he was a smart guy. When my daughter was born and was transported to Peoria right after her birth,I was down--Joe comes by to talk and brought me a mixed drink--something I'll never forget. He was there to help me get Sherry up the stairs after her surgery. My best memories of him was him pulling his many grandchildren around our block with his garden tractor and a wagon. Joe and Mauna are the best neighbors we ever had or will have. Sadly we are in Florida and unable to attend Joe's funeral.RIP Joe,you will be forever remembered.
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Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home1104 N. Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701
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