1926
Ray
2015
Ray Mensendike
March 27, 1926 — March 19, 2015
Ray A. Mensendike, age 88, of Stockton, Illinois, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the Stockton Healthcare and Rehab Center. Cremation Rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Calvary United Methodist Church, Stockton. Inurnment will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth, Illinois with military rites accorded by the Stockton American Legion Post #449. A memorial gathering will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the Calvary United Methodist Church in Ray's memory.
Ray was born on March 27, 1926, in Camp Point, Illinois, the son of Clarence and Beatrice (Dutton) Mensendike. He graduated from Camp Point High School and later attended Bradley University, where he completed his B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Education Administration. Ray then went on to receive an Advanced Certificate from the University of Illinois, and enjoyed attending workshops at Northern Illinois and Western Illinois Universities. On July 9, 1950, Ray married Edith Ann Schmiedeskamp in Camp Point. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1951, serving time overseas in Italy during World War II and later stateside during the Korean Conflict.
Ray was a well-known educator in northern Illinois. His teaching career began in Pekin and then moved north to Lanark, where he taught history and social studies. He was a grade school principal at Pecatonica for 10 years and superintendent in Hanover for two and a half years where he started a special education program that continues today. He participated in the establishment of the Jo Davies County Vocational Center and served as the first director. His final 9 years were spent as superintendent in Orangeville. Upon retirement Ray sold real estate for Century 21 in Stockton.
Ray was active in his church and community. He was a member of the United Methodist Men, Stockton American Legion, Stockton Lions Club, Orangeville Odd Fellows, and a 50 year member of the Bradley University Phi Delta Kappa fraternity. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed taking his vegetables to the farmers market. He exemplified the character of a life time learner becoming a Master Gardener and auditing classes at Highland Community College well into his seventies.
Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Edith; five children, Alice Mensendike of Stockton, IL, Ray “Dick” (Teri) Mensendike of Elizabeth, IL, Jane (William) Powell of LaCrosse, WI, Willa (Tim) MacKenzie of LaCrosse, WI, and John (Denise) Mensendike of Harvard, IL; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Mensendike of Quincy, IL, and James (Kittie) Mensendike of Nebraska City, NE; two sisters, Roena (Burl) Crawford of Conroe,TX, and Bonita (Phil) Huss of Peoria, IL. Ray is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Eugene.
Thank you to Dr. Cleary and the countless hands who cared for Dad during these past months.
Ray was born on March 27, 1926, in Camp Point, Illinois, the son of Clarence and Beatrice (Dutton) Mensendike. He graduated from Camp Point High School and later attended Bradley University, where he completed his B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Education Administration. Ray then went on to receive an Advanced Certificate from the University of Illinois, and enjoyed attending workshops at Northern Illinois and Western Illinois Universities. On July 9, 1950, Ray married Edith Ann Schmiedeskamp in Camp Point. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1951, serving time overseas in Italy during World War II and later stateside during the Korean Conflict.
Ray was a well-known educator in northern Illinois. His teaching career began in Pekin and then moved north to Lanark, where he taught history and social studies. He was a grade school principal at Pecatonica for 10 years and superintendent in Hanover for two and a half years where he started a special education program that continues today. He participated in the establishment of the Jo Davies County Vocational Center and served as the first director. His final 9 years were spent as superintendent in Orangeville. Upon retirement Ray sold real estate for Century 21 in Stockton.
Ray was active in his church and community. He was a member of the United Methodist Men, Stockton American Legion, Stockton Lions Club, Orangeville Odd Fellows, and a 50 year member of the Bradley University Phi Delta Kappa fraternity. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed taking his vegetables to the farmers market. He exemplified the character of a life time learner becoming a Master Gardener and auditing classes at Highland Community College well into his seventies.
Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Edith; five children, Alice Mensendike of Stockton, IL, Ray “Dick” (Teri) Mensendike of Elizabeth, IL, Jane (William) Powell of LaCrosse, WI, Willa (Tim) MacKenzie of LaCrosse, WI, and John (Denise) Mensendike of Harvard, IL; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Mensendike of Quincy, IL, and James (Kittie) Mensendike of Nebraska City, NE; two sisters, Roena (Burl) Crawford of Conroe,TX, and Bonita (Phil) Huss of Peoria, IL. Ray is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Eugene.
Thank you to Dr. Cleary and the countless hands who cared for Dad during these past months.
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