Ray Goben

Raymond Clyde “Ray” Goben, Jr, age 71 of Beardstown, died Thursday, June 23, 2022 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born December 9, 1950 in Kilbourne, the son of Raymond Clyde and Blanche Hobbs Goben. He married Norman Jean Schwalb on August 15, 1985 and she preceded him in death on January 25, 2007.

He is survived by four children Michelle Richardson (companion Marcus Pratt) of Bath, Shannon (husband Horacio) Nunez of Beardstown, Julie (husband Jon) Wagner of Ocala, FL, and Adam (wife Michele) Goben of Browning; five step children Anna Coats (companion Greg Upchurch), James “Dank” Coats, Marty (wife Suzanna) Coats, Brandi (husband Jimmy) Hymes, and Dusty (wife Megan) Coats all of Beardstown; 24 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two sisters Dorothy Turnell of Pekin and Linda (husband Pat) Little of Albion; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and four sisters Shirley Morris, Bernita Nunn, Laura Huffman, and Carol Hall.

Ray graduated from Balyki High in the class of 1969 and was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Beardstown. After graduating high school, Ray began a 38-year career with Oscar Mayer and retired from Excel Corporation in Beardstown. In his younger years, Ray enjoyed hunting and vegetable gardening. Fishing the ditches has always been a favorite past time. In recent years, he spent a lot of time at the Bait Shop visiting with friends. Ray liked to have a cold beverage and press his luck in hopes of winning big. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

A celebration of life fellowship will be held from 1-7 PM Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the home of Shannon Nunez, 1401 Washington Street, Beardstown, IL 62618. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been suggested to Beardstown Park District; please memo Learning to Fish Program. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.