Raymond J. "Ray" Vahling (91) of Teutopolis

Raymond J. “Ray” Vahling, 91, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at his home in Teutopolis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery with military rites. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 4:00 pm with visitation to follow until 7:00 pm Tuesday at the church. Memorial donations may be given to the Monastery Museum, Family Life Pregnancy Care Center, or for Mass stipends. 

Ray was born September 24, 1932 in Teutopolis, the son of Ferdinand A. “Ferd” and Anna H. (Osterhaus) Vahling. He graduated in 1951 from Teutopolis High School. Ray served during the Korean Conflict with the United States Army from 1953 to 1954. He was a lifelong dairy farmer. He married Mary Louise Hartke on June 5, 1957 and she preceded him in death on October 4, 1990. Ray later married Joyce Brumleve on December 28, 1991 and she survives.

Ray was a member of the St. Francis Parish Council and Men’s Sodality, President for 20 years of the Teutopolis Monastery Museum Board, and volunteered at St. Anthony's Hospital Chapel for perpetual adoration. He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and The Paper Barn. He was a member of the Teutopolis American Legion Post # 924 and participated in the 2016 Honor Flight. Ray was also a member of the County Line Sod-Busters Association, Mill Road Threshermans Association, NRA, and the Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Council #2874.

Ray was a member and director of Mid America Dairymen, Effingham County Farm Bureau, and was on the advisory council of the Department of Vocational Agriculture at Teutopolis High School. In his younger years, Ray did custom silo filling and was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer. He was a member of the International Harvester Collectors Chapter 32, and he restored 23 antique tractors after his retirement in 1994.

Ray is survived by his wife, Joyce of Teutopolis; children, Jane Jahn of Mahomet, Joe (Eileen) of Teutopolis, Dennis of Stewardson, Theresa Niccum of Fishers, IN, Tom (Cindy) of Teutopolis, Mark (Janet) of Newton, Bernie (Mona), and Kenny (Amy), both of Teutopolis; sisters, Sr. Rita Vahling OSF of Joliet and Mary (Dan) Meinhart of Montrose; 28 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Louise; daughter-in-law, Brenda Vahling; grandson, Steven Jahn; and sisters, Julie (Tim) Lynch and Sister Helen Vahling OSF.