Wendell Raymond Warner, Jr.

Wendell Raymond Warner, Jr., age 58 of Avon, Illinois.  Ray passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 10:35 p.m. in his home, peacefully with his wife at his side.  His 2 year struggle with cancer is over.

  Born in Iowa City, Iowa, to Wendell RaymondWarner and Patricia Maye Gibson Warner, he grew up in Coralville and Washington, Iowa, where he attended school.  Always proud to be called an “Iowa Boy”, he was looking forward to this year’s 40^th class reunion.

  Ray moved to Galesburg in the early 1980’s, where he worked at Royce Rentals, Godfathers Pizza, then at Maytag for 16 years until the plant closed.

  Nicknamed “Ray Bob” in department 205, he was a leadman, worked in electrical repair, then later as a loader in the warehouse.  He made many lifelong friends there.

  Afterwards, he attended CDL classes and received a welding certificate at CSC.  He then worked at the Avon School for 8 years in maintenance/custodian.

  His love of music never ended and he enjoyed collecting albums and cd’s.  He was also a great movie buff and loved vintage tv programs.

  He had a big heart and rescued so many cats that his widow will probably be known as “that crazy cat lady” in Avon.

  He rescued his Lab, Sara, from the shelter.  Nearing the end of his life, she was a constant companion.  Present at the time of his death, she was a great comfort to Ray and his wife, Jalene.

  Baptized into the Catholic faith, he attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church while living in Galesburg.  Last Rites were given on the day of his death by Father Dominic of the St. Augustine Catholic Church.

  His family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses that have cared for him.  Dr. James Klemens of Peoria, all the MD’s at Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Center, Dr. Prager and her team at the Cancer Center in Galesburg, OSF St. Mary Medical Center, OSF Hospice, Dr. Hartsill at Northwestern Proton in Warrenville, Illinois, Dr. Lee at the Gailey Eye Clinic, and most of all our primary care physician, Dr. Shrikant Mehta at the Avon Clinic for being so caring in our greatest hours of need.

  Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers David, Michael and John.  He is survived by his wife Jalene Norris of Avon, his sisters, Barb (Joe) Lewis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Mary Coder of Iowa and Theresa (Don) Lower of Jefferson City, Missouri.  His sons, Joshua, Jacob, Jordan of the Galesburg area along with four grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and of course, his extended family by marriage.

  In his memory, his family and friends are welcome to attend a prayer service and meal on Tuesday, February 28^th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church in London Mills.  Please feel free to dress casually.  Bring a story.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials will be offered to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Knox County Humane Society in his name.  Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.