Raymond A. Porter of Du Quoin

Raymond A. Porter, 87, of Du Quoin, passed away at 11:25 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020 at the Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Ray had been the owner and operator of Porter Foods from 1958 until 1991.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, a life member of the Du Quoin V.F.W. and a member of the Du Quoin American Legion.

Ray was a member of the Du Quoin Elks and Red Hawk Country Club. He had been on the Marshall Browning Hospital board of directors.

He was a season-ticket holder of the St. Louis Cardinal football. He was also a member of the SIU Foundation and a Saluki Booster.

Ray was born on Nov. 27, 1932 at DeSoto, Illinois, the son of Noel M. and Vaneta Marie (Ritch) Porter.

He married Carolyn J. Hight on Feb. 26, 1955 at Centralia, Illinois and she survives.

Ray is survived by his wife of Du Quoin; one son, Ron (Laura) Porter of Du Quoin; three daughters, Karen (Joe) Wolfe of Du Quoin, Lynn Hugus (special friend Scott McKee) of Palm Harbor, Florida and Jill (Richard) Hester of Du Quoin; seven grandchildren, Matt Wolfe and wife Audra, Andrea Wolfe, Trampas Porter and wife Jessie, Jennifer Bleyer and husband AJ, Chance Hugus, Blake Hester and wife Ashlee, and Blair Collum and husband Chris; six great-grandchildren and one great-granddaughter on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Michelle Porter Hawkins; and one brother, Donald Porter.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin. The Rev. April Turner will officiate and Steve Marek will give the eulogy.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Phase 4 of Restore Illinois permits up to 50 attendees inside the building at one time. Masks are required, and visitors are asked to socially distance themselves.

Friends are invited to make memorials to the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin, the Alzheimer's Association, the Marshall Browning Hospital Tree of Life, or Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital. These will be accepted at the funeral home.

Private family graveside services will be held at a later date with military graveside rites conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army National Guard.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.