Raymond Wassong

Raymond C. Wassong

Age 81 of Wilmington and formerly Oak Forest , passed away Sunday March 9, 2008 at Silver Cross Medical Center in Joliet .

Born August 29, 1926 in Chicago , Raymond was a son of the late Michael and Clara Wetzig-Wassong. He was raised and educated in Chicago and was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. Raymond worked for Johnson and Johnson Corp as a forklift operator and retired after 37 years of service. After his retirement he moved to Wilmington, where he was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington and volunteered at Midewin Tall Grass Prairie. Raymond in his free time loved building birdhouses, fishing and taking nature walks with his dog Patches. He had a great sense of humor and was known as a fearless leader.

Survivors include three children: Shelley (Rick Stang) Naples of Crest Hill, Eric Wassong of Wilmington and Gerri Wassong of Grand Prairie, Texas; three grandchildren: Vince, Anthony and Nathan Naples; one brother John Wassong and one sister-in-law Rolene Wassong, both of Evergreen Park and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his dog Patches.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret in 1979, two brothers Mike and Robert Wassong and one sister Rita Palaszynski.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Wednesday March 12, 2008 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street ) in Wilmington . A wake service will be held Wednesday at 4:00PM in the funeral home with Rev. Steve Bondi from St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington officiating and graveside services will follow on Friday at March 14, 2008 at 11:00AM in Holy Sepluchre Catholic Cemetery in Worth, IL.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Raymond's memory to his family for distribution to local charities of their choice.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington (815/476-7621)