Ray Eugene Rader

It is with great sadness that the family of Ray Eugene Rader announces his passing after a brief illness on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at the age of 94 years. Ray will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 71 years, Helen (nee Babb), and his children, Linda (Gary White) Rader, and Joyce (Ron) Ratner. Ray will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren, Brett Ratner, and Aaron (Katherine) Ratner, his great-grandchildren, Zoe, Samantha, Michael, Madison, and Emma, as well as his nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his father, Homer Carl Rader, mother, Dessie Lee Rader, sisters Ruby (Kyle) Weems, Ida Ruth (James) Million, and brother Fred (Gladys) Rader.

Born on December 8, 1923, in the St. James Community of Greene County, Tennessee, Ray was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II as a radio operator in North Africa and Italy from 1943 to 1945. Upon his return to the states, Ray moved to Rockford, Illinois where he worked 40 years as a machine operator for the Barber Coleman Company. Throughout his life, Ray was appreciated by his family and many friends for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and quiet nature. In his spare time, Ray enjoyed bowling and gardening, had a sharp mind for math problems, kept everyone abreast of local weather conditions, and loved solving anagram puzzles in the newspaper. He also was fond of watching football and golf on TV and especially listening to old-time country music.

A private family celebration of Ray's life will be held at a later date. Final resting place will be the Omaha National Cemetery for Veterans in Omaha, NE. The family requests that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. To share a memory or offer condolences, please send to Lincoln Family Funeral Care, 5844 Fremont St., Lincoln, NE 68507.