Ray E. Deitz, 73, of McLeansboro, died at 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 1998, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital. He was retired, having been owner and operator of Deitz Appliance in McLeansboro for several years.
He was born on February 2, 1925, in McLeansboro, a son of Reggie A. and Edna (Mangis) Deitz. On November 29, 1946, he married Shirley Hummel, who died in 1982. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II, a charter member of McLeansboro Elks Lodge #1882 and Eagles Lodge in McLeansboro and VFW Post in Benton. He was a member and past commander of American Legion Post #106 and a member of the First Baptist Church in McLeansboro.
The funeral was at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 1998, at IOOF Cemetery under direction of Gholson Funeral Home. The Rev. John Denham officiated. Military rites were performed by American Legion Post #106.
He is survived by a sister, Sue Cates and husband Jack of Grayville; three nieces, Jean Ellen Bisch of Grayville, Pam Bethards of Brownsburg, Indiana, Luana Martindale of Little Rock, Arkansas; and three aunts, Ethel Mangis of McLeansboro, Norma Johnson of Carterville, Maxine Speer of Alameda, California.