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BORN
1939
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Raymond Rowden Obituary
Springfield, IL—Raymond Allen Rowden, 79, of Springfield, passed away at 3:10 pm Saturday, May 4, 2019, at his home. He was born December 2, 1939 to James Dale Rowden and Carol (Hughes) Rowden and they preceded him in death. He married Elizabeth "Betty" L. Gallina on October 15, 1960.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, three children: Raymond "Todd" (LaDonna) Rowden of Sherman, Michael Dale (significant other, Stacy Manion) of Springfield, and Christopher Allen (Laura) of Chatham, and seven grandchildren: Nicholas, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Sean, Mariah, Elizabeth, and Haylie Rowden.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Raymond graduated from Franklin High School in 1959, went on to Springfield Barber College, and opened a barber shop in Loami, IL. While raising his family Raymond held various positions as an insurance salesman, bread deliveryman, meat cutter, and truck driver (P.H. Broughton and Sangamon County). He changed career paths and went to work for the Secretary of State. Raymond pursued and obtained a certificate from Lincoln Land Community College in the Power Plant Maintenance Technology Program, after which he was promoted to Stationary Engineer. He retired from the Secretary of State in 2002.
He was also very involved in his community. Raymond was elected Alderman for the City of Springfield, serving from 1991 to 1999. He later served on the Springfield Civil Service Commission from 2007 to 2019. In addition to local politics, Raymond was a member of several car clubs (Route 66 Cruisers, Vintage Times, and Hudson Essex Terraplane Club), Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus, St. Paul's Lodge #500, Illinois Right to Life, and Illinois State Rifle Association. He was also a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Rochester.
Visitation: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2019 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Funeral Service: Visitation at 10:00 a.m., followed by a mass at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Jude Church in Rochester with Rev. Brian Alford officiating. Burial will follow at Sulphur Springs Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Animal Protective League, American Diabetes Association, or American Heart Association.
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Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Rowden
Sponsored by Staab Funeral Home - Springfield.
Rockey
May 11, 2019
Mikey and family; what a great guy. Sorry for your loss. Ray knew what was important and lived a life to reflect so. Faith, family, and friends ... our community was blessed by his service; his warmth, and he will be missed.
Ken Oglesby
May 8, 2019
Betty and Family,
My sincere condolences to the entire Rowden family on the passing of Ray. He was a good friend over many years. Although we didn't see each other very often, Ray always had a smile on his face and always glad to see you. He will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Lisa Hirstein-Hughes
May 8, 2019
Mike and family,
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
Dad and his 1936 Hudson Terraplane Pickup; he always loved the classics
Raymond (Todd) Rowden
May 8, 2019
May 8, 2019
So sorry to hear about Ray's passing, prayers to the family.
Betsy (Rowden) Bisby
Joanne Gaston
May 8, 2019
Ray and Ladonna and family, I am so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. Our prayers are with you.
May 8, 2019
Rowden family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Withers Family, Loami
KEVIN DAVLIN
May 8, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am sorry I cannot make it there as I am in Centtral America.
Will sure miss the great times we had together in Ireland.
Kevin Davlin
Danny Scarlett
May 7, 2019
Betty, Mike, Todd and Chris, I am so sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I will always remember him for his warmth, friendship and sense of humor. I will never forget working with him on campaigns including his first one for alderman. I will never forget his friendship and the things he taught me about running campaigns. I remember him being with me the night I won my campaign for committeeman. I know how much you all meant to him and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sherry Hamilton
May 7, 2019
I have met Ray many times throughout my life, my late mother was a very good friend of Rays as they both were from Franklin and were the "Flashes". Our family has the highest respect for Ray. I will always remember his warm smile, he never met a stranger. Great guy, will be missed by everyone that knew him. My sincere condolences to his family.
Rhinda Shearl Fairless
May 7, 2019
Deepest sympathy to the family
American Heart Association
May 7, 2019
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
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Memorial Events
for Raymond Rowden
May
10
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield1109 South 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62703
Funeral services provided by:
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield1109 South 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62703
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