Raymond Edward "Ray" Fear, age 78

March 1, 1944 – November 18, 2022

Raymond Edward "Ray" Fear, age 78, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 3:43 PM – Friday, November 18, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM – Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Ray's nephew Rick Britton officiating.  Military rites will follow the service.  Visitation will be held 2:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, November 26, 2022.  In loving memory of Ray, memorials may made to the Jasper County Cancer Support Fund, PO Box 333, Newton, Illinois 62448.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Raymond Edward, better known to his family and friends as "Ray" was born on March 1, 1944, in Newton, Illinois, the son of George Edward and Alene Carrie (Byrom) Fear.  He married Fonda Fear on June 24, 1967, at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois.

Ray retired from the Jasper County Unit No. 1 School systems, after many years as a custodian.  He opened and operated his own detail business "Fear's Car Care". He had also worked at Essex in Newton for many years.

Ray served his country in the US Army Reserve and later spent many years in the United States Army National Guard.  He was a member of the Eagles.

Ray enjoyed hunting and fishing, mainly mushroom, and bow hunting.  He enjoyed watching football, especially the Chicago Bears, with family and friends.  He enjoyed growing a big vegetable garden every year and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Ray is survived by:

Wife of 55 years – Fonda Fear

Children – John Fear (fiancé Megan Ames) of Effingham, Illinois; Cameron Fear (Senna Adjabeng) of Bloomington, Illinois; Justin Fear of Oblong, Illinois; Andy Fear (Melissa Brown) of Newton, Illinois; Corey Fear (Heather Demma) of Bancroft, Wisconsin and Amy Fear of Newton, Illinois

Grandchildren – Madison Fear, Savannah Fear, Logan Fear, Traeh Badger, Aaliyah Fear, Waylon Fear and Claire Fear

Siblings – Marcella Whalen of Newton, Illinois; Richard "Dick" (Thelma) Fear of Robinson, Illinois; and Connie (Robert) Keller of Newton, Illinois

Brother-in-law – Elmer Harness of Robinson, Illinois

Several nieces and nephews also survive

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Florence Britton, Beverly Harness, Bonnie Fear, brothers-in-law Richard Britton and Herman Whalen, and his father and mother-in-law Loren and Clara Fear.