Marion Ray Shurtz

Marion Ray Shurtz, 89, of Forest City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at his daughter’s home in East Peoria. Ray was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Tamaroa, Illinois, to John Hans and Floy Merle Shurtz. He married L. Yvonne Fomby on Feb., 22, 1948, in DuQuoin, Illinois. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Yvonne Shurtz of Forest City; eight children, Dale Shurtz of Forest City, Gale (Laura) Shurtz of Manito, Susie (Jim) Armstrong of East Peoria, Sally (Ron) Walker of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Lisa (Paul) Sutherland of Olney, Karen Linsberg of Braden River, Fla., Kathleen (Terry) Benedict of Farmington, John (Alison) Shurtz of Aurora and very special addition to his family Pearlie Harris; eighteen grandchildren, Jeremy Shurtz, Katie (Steve) Prytiscosh, Quinn Schad, Danessa (Cliff) Quine, Mindy Armstrong, Corey Armstrong, Amanda Nudelman, Danny Nudelman, Sean (Jessica) Sutherland, Tori (Andy) Walden, Kalin (Greg) Linsberg, Karly Linsberg, Kasey Linsberg, Donnie (Jessie) Malmquist, Jaime (Andy) Weilacher, Steve Malmquist, Joe Shurtz, and Ruth Shurtz; 20 great-grandchildren; siblings Marietta Axley, Dale (June) Shurtz, Jane Bell, and Floy Ann (Dennis) Borgman; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Jackie and great-granddaughter Selena. Ray served as a seaman first class in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was a heavy equipment test operator at the Caterpillar proving grounds until his retirement in 1981. Ray served as a deacon for the Creve Coeur Southern Baptist Church for many years and more recently attended Valley Chapel in Green Valley. Ray loved his family, gardening, and sweet pickles, and never met a piece of chocolate he didn’t like. Ray was an avid reader and as a young man was often found in a hammock in the woods with a pile of books by his side. He had a unique way of telling stories and assigned nicknames to family and friends alike. He enjoyed all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and any other children who crossed his path. Even though he had a large family, there was always room in his heart and at his table for more. He loved God and was always ready to help those in need. He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who love him, and anyone who met him or spoke to him had an appreciation for how special he was. Services will be held Tuesday, July 29th at 10:30 am at Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm, Monday, July 28th also at Maas-Hurley Funeral Home. Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield at 1:00 pm immediately after service, where military rites will be conducted. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association of Peoria in honor of his wife and father. Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.

Marion Ray Shurtz

August 28, 1924 - July 24, 2014

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