Obituary of Ray Riffey

Sadly, we announce that Monday, October 23rd, 2023, Lowell (Ray) Riffey went to be with the Lord, his wife Eileen, and his other heavenly family. Ray was born on February 8, 1928 to Ernest Ray and Bessie Smithson Riffey on the farm outside of Girard, IL. After graduating high school, Ray joined the Marine Corps and served with distinction in Korea. Ray met Eileen Alcorn in St. Louis, Missouri and they married on August 19, 1950. After discharge from the Marine Corps in 1951, Ray and Eileen briefly lived in St. Louis, MO, prior to relocating to Carlinville, IL where they resided for the majority of their lives. Ray was employed by MJM Electric Cooperative for 32 years as the Member Services Director and retired in 1993. In 1938, at the age of 10, Ray gave his life to the Lord and spent the rest of his life professing his faith-even witnessing as late as 3 days prior to his death. Ray was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville where through the years he served as a deacon, church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, choir member and often church electrician. In his spare time, Ray was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed the sport until 2 years ago when his health challenges forced him to stop. Ray love woodworking in his shop and was always there if someone needed a hand. He and his wife were passionate about missions. Because of this, they joined the Illinois Campers on Missions and later the Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. They were able to assist in numerous disasters both in Illinois and throughout the country. Finally, Ray was very active in the Macoupin County Historical Society. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Sallie Riffey, his wife Eileen, and his sister, Eileen. Ray is survived by his son, Roger (Lisa) Riffey of Katy, TX, daughter, Patti (Chip) Hiestand of Princeton, WI, 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and sisters, Kay Torrens of Bloomington, IL, Cheryl Huddle of Springfield, IL and Marti Bingham of Vandalia, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, IL. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville, IL, with Rev. Cliff Woodman officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Girard, IL. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Building Fund or Macoupin County Historical Society. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.