Ray William Thiele

Ray William Thiele, 94, of Waterloo, was called out of this earthly life into His heavenly presence on Sunday, February 9th, 2025.

Ray was the third of four children born to Marie nee Schwing and William Thiele in Valmeyer, IL on October 17, 1930.

He graduated from Waterloo High School in 1948.

Ray proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps two years during the Korean war. Ray married Norma nee Easter in Bonne Terre, MO on May 24, 1952. Ray and Norma celebrated sixty-one years of marriage. They have three children: Kathleen (Joe) Horvath of Defiance, MO, Kimberly (Jim) Hesterberg of Waterloo and Scott (Sandra) Thiele of Durant, IA; five grandchildren: Collin (Rita) Hesse of Fenton, MO, Robyn Mohrmann of Columbia, IL, Erin (Tim) Buckley of Waterloo, IL, Justin Hesterberg of Dravosburg, PA and Lindsay Butler of Columbia, MO; and twelve great grandchildren.

Ray and Norma were church planters and lifelong members of the Church of Christ in Fenton, MO where he often led the singing among other duties. Later in life he enjoyed attending the United Church of Christ in Maeystown and Hope Christian Church in Columbia.

Ray and Gladys nee Hoffmann Wittenauer were married on September 14, 2013 (eleven years). Ray is a step-father to Mary Lea (Jeffrey) VanRider of Wildwood, FL, Rosalie (Garry) Heizer, Shirley (Mark) Vogt, and David (Reneta) Wittenauer of Red Bud, IL, Terry Wittenauer of Belleville, IL and James (Patricia) Wittenauer of Pinckneyville, IL.

Ray was preceded in death by Norma, his parents William H. and Marie (nee Kinney) Thiele, his sisters Dorothy Brandt and Marguerite Ann Brandt, three nieces and a nephew. He is survived by his wife Gladys, brother Lee Kinney (Alicia) of CA, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Ray's passions were speaking with others, fishing, gardening, and jigsaw puzzles.

He also enjoyed volunteer work throughout his life. His absence will be missed by all who knew him.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:

American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association

Visitation:

4 PM to 8 PM Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

10 AM to 11 AM Friday, February 21, 2025 at Hope Christian Church in Columbia, IL

Funeral Service:

11 AM Friday, February 21, 2025 at Hope Christian Church in Columbia, IL

 Pastor Darrell Jones and Pastor Patrick Poole officiating

Interment will immediately follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO