Delbert L. "Red" Morgan (71) of Peoria, formerly of Effingham

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Published on September 10 2019 1:59 pm

Delbert L. “Red” Morgan, 71, of Peoria, formerly of Effingham, IL, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 14 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, IL. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Delbert was born on December 21, 1947, in Effingham, IL, the son of William and Ruth (Rush) Morgan. He graduated from Effingham High School, where he played many sports including football, baseball and track. He was known for his athletic abilities into adulthood as he played fast pitch softball for the Casey Truckers.

After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he began his career at World Color Press until his retirement. This is where he met many lifelong friends and his fiancée Carole L. Ray. She was the love of his life and he extended that love to her family as well over more than 40 years. Her children, Laura Ray (John) Kelly and Gary (Kim) Ray were recipients of this love. One of his greatest joys was when he became “Pappy” to her grandchildren, Blair (Andrew) Larson, Sloan (Justin) Pultar, Rachael (Steve) Wilson and Sarah Ray. As well as their great-grandchildren; Stella, Olive, Arden, and Henry were true treasures to him.

Delbert enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. If he wasn’t outdoors he was watching nature shows on TV or a St. Louis Cardinals game. Watching a game was one of his favored pastimes with Carole.

Delbert was very proud of his military service and was scheduled for his honor flight with the Peoria Honor Flight group on the day of his passing. He had looked forward to that trip for the last year and joined them as an honorary member instead.

Delbert is survived by his brother, William (Peggy) Morgan of Garrett; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Morgan and Loren Morgan; sister, Mary Alice Phillips; fiancée, Carole Louise Ray and her son Gary Ray.